Xanadu Circa 77 Chardonnay 2023

Xanadu Circa 77 Chardonnay 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.

What the winery says:

The 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.

What the experts say:

Ray Jordan, WinePilot, 91 Points (2023)
“It’s slightly toasty and savoury, but with a bright and lively citrus tang cutting to the finish.”