{"title":"Margaret River Wine","description":"\u003cp\u003eMargaret River sits in the far southwest corner of Western Australia, isolated from the country's other wine regions by hundreds of kilometres, and has built an outsized reputation given its relatively small production. A maritime climate moderated by the Indian and Southern Oceans keeps conditions cool and remarkably consistent from year to year, ideal for the region's two signature styles: structured, Bordeaux-influenced Cabernet Sauvignon and complex, barrel-fermented Chardonnay. Gravelly, well-drained soils across the Margaret River wine region add further definition to both. For Chardonnay specifically, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-chardonnay\"\u003eAustralian Chardonnay\u003c\/a\u003e covers examples from the country's other regions. For the wider domestic picture, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-wine\"\u003eAustralian Wine\u003c\/a\u003e covers every region we carry.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"xanadu-circa-77-chardonnay","title":"Xanadu Circa 77 Chardonnay 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eXanadu Circa 77 Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e is a bright, textured, and refreshingly modern Margaret River Chardonnay that brings together ripe peach, citrus, and gentle savoury notes, with seasoned French oak adding shape rather than stealing the show. Wild fermentation and lees ageing build a subtle creaminess, while the absence of malolactic fermentation keeps the acidity lively and the finish crisp. Circa 77 celebrates Xanadu's Margaret River roots, dating back to 1977, and offers a polished introduction to the region's Chardonnay style. Serve it with grilled fish, roast chicken or a quietly generous bowl of seafood pasta.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit was pressed without crushing, with relatively high solids retained after overnight settling. Around 75% of the blend was fermented in seasoned French oak barriques, with only 5% new oak in the final wine, while the remaining 25% was fermented in tank with an aromatic yeast. Wild fermentation was encouraged in the barrel components. These parcels were lees stirred during nine months of maturation, with no malolactic fermentation, before the final blend was assembled in November 2023.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRay Jordan, WinePilot, 91 Points (2023)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“It’s slightly toasty and savoury, but with a bright and lively citrus tang cutting to the finish.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EuroVintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182035591535,"sku":"100836","price":131.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/XanaduCirca77Chardonnay2023.jpg?v=1783302703"},{"product_id":"xanadu-circa-77-shiraz","title":"Xanadu Circa 77 Shiraz 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eXanadu Circa 77 Shiraz\u003c\/strong\u003e in its 2022 vintage brings a supple, generous take on Western Australian Shiraz, with ripe blackberry and raspberry at the centre, floral lift, white pepper, spice and discreet toasty oak. A small splash of Viognier brightens the perfume, while polished tannins keep the full-bodied fruit easy to enjoy. Xanadu has called Margaret River home since 1977, and this Circa 77 bottling nods to that history without getting overly grand about it. Pour it with rosemary lamb chops, smoky beef burgers or a winter casserole when you want richness, freshness and plenty of crowd appeal.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2022 blend is 99.5% Shiraz and 0.5% Viognier, sourced 76% from Margaret River and 24% from Great Southern. The fruit was destemmed and crushed with open rollers to retain whole berries, then fermented in static and rotary vessels. A small whole-bunch portion was included, and one component was co-fermented with Viognier. After malolactic fermentation, the wine matured for 14 months in French oak barriques, 25% new. Xanadu describes inky forest fruit, florals, white pepper, raspberry confectionery and toasty oak, followed by ripe blackberry, raspberry, spice, supple tannins and a warm lingering finish. It is vegan and made at a Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certified winery.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRay Jordan, WinePilot, 91 Points (2022)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“It’s generous and deceptively powerful yet with elegance and vibrancy. Plummy fruits lifted with a herb and spice combination.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCameron Douglas MS, 90 Points (2022)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“A lovely bouquet and palate with flavours of raspberry and red cherry, some tartness as well as ripeness builds mouthfeel and intensity on the palate.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EuroVintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182035624303,"sku":"100837","price":131.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/XanaduCirca77Shiraz2022.jpg?v=1783302314"},{"product_id":"xanadu-circa-77-cabernet-sauvignon","title":"Xanadu Circa 77 Cabernet Sauvignon 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eXanadu Circa 77 Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e brings Margaret River Cabernet character into a generous, immediately appealing frame. Blackcurrant, blueberry and dark plum meet chocolate, subtle toast and savoury herbal notes, while supple tannins keep the medium to full-bodied palate polished rather than heavy. Cabernet Sauvignon leads the blend, with Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc adding colour, perfume and shape. It is a smart choice for roast lamb, grilled steak or a rich mushroom dish, and has enough structure to reward a few years in the cellar.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe 2022 blend is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, sourced entirely from Margaret River. Sixty percent of the fruit came from Xanadu's estate-grown Boodjidup vineyards, with the balance drawn from mature vineyards across the region. Fermentation took place in rotary and static fermenters, with a portion receiving extended skin contact for added plushness and savoury texture. After malolactic fermentation, the wine matured for 14 months in French oak barriques, 20% new. The winery describes ripe blackcurrant, blueberry, dark plum, cassis, redcurrant, chocolate and toasty oak, supported by ripe, supple tannins.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSam Kim, Wine Orbit, 94\/100 and 5 Stars (2022)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003e“This is gorgeously composed and expressed on the nose, showing blackcurrant, dried herb, rich floral, clove and toasted nut aromas. It's equally satisfying in the mouth, delivering refined texture together with fine, chalky tannins, offering excellent structure that's both sturdy and silky. At its best: now to 2034”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EuroVintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182035657071,"sku":"100838","price":131.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/XanaduCirca77CabernetSauvignon2022.jpg?v=1783302033"},{"product_id":"vasse-felix-filius-chardonnay","title":"Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVasse Felix Filius Chardonnay \u003c\/strong\u003eis Margaret River Chardonnay with the volume turned down and the refreshment turned up. Rockmelon, Granny Smith apple and lemon curd meet a subtle savoury, mineral edge, with a restrained creamy core and bright acidity driving a clean, dry finish. Filius is the more immediate, earlier-drinking side of Vasse Felix Chardonnay, shaped by the same wild-ferment, minimal-intervention thinking that has helped the estate define the region’s modern style. Polished without being precious, it is exactly the sort of Chardonnay that disappears faster than intended.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lighter-framed, modern expression of Margaret River Chardonnay, made from vineyard sites and clones selected for their naturally elegant fruit. Wild fermentation, gentle solids and maturation in French oak build subtle savoury complexity and a soft, creamy texture, while natural acidity keeps everything bright and composed. Expect rockmelon, green apple and lemon curd, joined by delicate herbal, flinty and saline notes before a warm, dry finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMelissa Moore, The Real Review, 93\/100 \u0026amp; Top Value\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Sophistication in the glass with elegant zesty fruit, subtle apricot kernel oak and hint of flint.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion, 93\/100\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“There’s texture and mouth-watering acidity, so it’s super refreshing. Don’t overthink it.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Negociants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53214577361263,"sku":"100963","price":191.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/VasseFelixFiliusChardonnay.jpg?v=1784603218"},{"product_id":"vasse-felix-premier-chardonnay","title":"Vasse Felix Premier Chardonnay 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVasse Felix Premier Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e sits in the sweet spot between richness and restraint. Ripe nectarine, melon and citrus are layered with roast pecan, subtle cream, flint and a salty mineral edge, while fresh acidity and fine phenolics keep the palate focused and dry. Vasse Felix was Margaret River’s founding wine estate, established in 1967, and has spent decades helping define the region’s modern Chardonnay style. This is polished, complex and beautifully composed, but still generous enough to make opening it feel like pleasure rather than homework.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine combines ripe rockmelon, honeydew and citrus blossom with touches of lemongrass, tarragon, struck flint and sea spray. The palate is fleshy and powerful, showing grilled nectarine, roast pecan, galangal and smoked cream, framed by bright acidity and fine, dry phenolics. Vasse Felix’s house approach uses wild fermentation in French oak barriques, with unclarified juice, natural malolactic fermentation where it occurs and minimal intervention throughout.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Suckling, 96\/100\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“The refined palate is tightly wound with focused acidity and underlying power that will only develop.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJeni Port, WinePilot, 95\/100\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Summer stone fruits, citrus, grapefruit pith, sea spray, savoury almond notes and toasted biscuit rise in a riveting aroma.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Negociants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53214577394031,"sku":"100964","price":299.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/VasseFelixPremierChardonnay.jpg?v=1784602767"}],"url":"https:\/\/stolencellar.co.nz\/collections\/margaret-river-wine.oembed","provider":"Stolen Cellar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}