Nocturne Wines
Single Vineyard Series
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2024 Margaret River
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Winemaker’s notes
Notes
Flint, funk, pure citrus & verve...lots of verve
SINGLE VINEYARD
Forrest Vineyard
Winemaker’s notes
Previous Vintages
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2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2025
Ok, I fucked up….. In fact, it wasn’t my fault your honour, it was whoever didn’t follow my instructions to put the barrels in a nice warm spot and left them in the cold. So yes, I did fuck up as that’s the shit you need to follow up. As such this wine stopped fermenting leaving some sugar behind and sweet Chardonnay is not a thing. Needless to say, I was more than a little upset and dealt with the problem by ignoring it. Come late spring after 100% natural Malolactic fermentation was complete the wine started fermenting again and the majority of the barrels went completely dry. A Chardonnay flavoured phoenix arising from the ashes.
So, what did this mean for my Phoenix? It’s a different wine it’s fair to say, it’s oakier than usual, lower in acidity and more exotic in flavour and texture. Reading this back… that does actually sound ok and I must say that the wine is epic just in a different way than usual. Single vineyard wines are just that and this is the face of that vineyard’s terroir in 2025. Come revel in the season that was, it tastes of destiny.
The fruit is, of course, from a single site, the Forrest Vineyard in the Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River. Moreover, this wine is from a small section of the vineyard’s middle ridge, carefully selected for this wine. Planted to the classic WA Gin Gin clone, it is a wine of unbelievable natural acid presence and structural drive. The vineyard is otherwise largely flat and quite close to the coast—only about 3km— and it is planted on deep silver-grey sands. The picking date is generally relatively early in the Chardonnay season, given the vineyard’s low-yielding nature.
The grapes were handpicked on 20th February, a month later than in 2024. Pressed as whole bunches directly to new, one- and two-year-old puncheons, with no settling or fining processes. This juice was then carefully monitored, and spontaneous fermentation kicked off on day five after pressing. After a four-week ferment, the wine remained on gross lees unsulphured, until November of that year. In December, the wine was emptied from barrel, settled, filtered and bottled. The final blend is 40% new oak which is more than usual.
This is my favourite chardonnay site that holds amazing acid structure and lovely, al dente tannin. This vintage is more expressive and generous than some, more exotic and textural. Flint, funk, warm spice ripe white stone fruit, brown lime and luck. You can taste the luck and everyone needs some luck sometimes.
So, what did this mean for my Phoenix? It’s a different wine it’s fair to say, it’s oakier than usual, lower in acidity and more exotic in flavour and texture. Reading this back… that does actually sound ok and I must say that the wine is epic just in a different way than usual. Single vineyard wines are just that and this is the face of that vineyard’s terroir in 2025. Come revel in the season that was, it tastes of destiny.
The fruit is, of course, from a single site, the Forrest Vineyard in the Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River. Moreover, this wine is from a small section of the vineyard’s middle ridge, carefully selected for this wine. Planted to the classic WA Gin Gin clone, it is a wine of unbelievable natural acid presence and structural drive. The vineyard is otherwise largely flat and quite close to the coast—only about 3km— and it is planted on deep silver-grey sands. The picking date is generally relatively early in the Chardonnay season, given the vineyard’s low-yielding nature.
The grapes were handpicked on 20th February, a month later than in 2024. Pressed as whole bunches directly to new, one- and two-year-old puncheons, with no settling or fining processes. This juice was then carefully monitored, and spontaneous fermentation kicked off on day five after pressing. After a four-week ferment, the wine remained on gross lees unsulphured, until November of that year. In December, the wine was emptied from barrel, settled, filtered and bottled. The final blend is 40% new oak which is more than usual.
This is my favourite chardonnay site that holds amazing acid structure and lovely, al dente tannin. This vintage is more expressive and generous than some, more exotic and textural. Flint, funk, warm spice ripe white stone fruit, brown lime and luck. You can taste the luck and everyone needs some luck sometimes.
2024
This is a tricky one. Is it the peer of the peerless 2023, a wine that was as effortless as any I have ever made? No, is the answer, but I have a little feeling that many of you will prefer it. A trademark assault to the senses of flint and funk and ripe acidity, yet this wine, given the season, has more flesh on its bones and strays slightly to riper fruits. See what you think; my feeling is that it’s a very cool incarnation of the coolest of cool vineyards in a warm year.
The fruit is, of course, from a single site, the Forrest Vineyard in the Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River. Moreover, this wine is from a small section of the vineyard’s middle ridge, carefully selected for this wine. Planted to the classic WA Gin Gin clone, it is a wine of unbelievable natural acid presence and structural drive. The vineyard is otherwise largely flat and quite close to the coast—only about 3km— and it is planted on deep silver-grey sands. The picking date is generally relatively early in the Chardonnay season, given the vineyard’s low-yielding nature. The grapes were handpicked on 25th January, a month earlier than in 2023. Weird as. Pressed as bunches directly to new, one- and two-year-old puncheons, with no settling or fining processes. This juice was then carefully monitored, and spontaneous fermentation kicked off on day five after pressing. After a four-week ferment, the wine remained on gross lees unsulphured until October of that year. In December, the wine was emptied from barrel, settled, filtered and bottled.
This is an exciting site that holds amazing acid structure and lovely, al dente tannin. This vintage is more expressive and generous than some, and it is already shining. Flint, funk, ripe white stone fruit, brown lime and passion. You can taste passions, all the different kinds. This wine inspires me to strive harder each year and bring all my passion for winemaking to bear.
The fruit is, of course, from a single site, the Forrest Vineyard in the Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River. Moreover, this wine is from a small section of the vineyard’s middle ridge, carefully selected for this wine. Planted to the classic WA Gin Gin clone, it is a wine of unbelievable natural acid presence and structural drive. The vineyard is otherwise largely flat and quite close to the coast—only about 3km— and it is planted on deep silver-grey sands. The picking date is generally relatively early in the Chardonnay season, given the vineyard’s low-yielding nature. The grapes were handpicked on 25th January, a month earlier than in 2023. Weird as. Pressed as bunches directly to new, one- and two-year-old puncheons, with no settling or fining processes. This juice was then carefully monitored, and spontaneous fermentation kicked off on day five after pressing. After a four-week ferment, the wine remained on gross lees unsulphured until October of that year. In December, the wine was emptied from barrel, settled, filtered and bottled.
This is an exciting site that holds amazing acid structure and lovely, al dente tannin. This vintage is more expressive and generous than some, and it is already shining. Flint, funk, ripe white stone fruit, brown lime and passion. You can taste passions, all the different kinds. This wine inspires me to strive harder each year and bring all my passion for winemaking to bear.
2023
2023 it’s a thing and so is this wine. The best Nocturne SV Chardonnay to date. Yes correct I feel unequivocal on this. For a wine to have massive complexity and intensity but do it in a way that’s so harmonious its hard to sort of even realize its an assault to the senses that’s when you know you have something special on your hands. The fruit is of course from a single site, the Forrest Vineyard in the Willyabrup sub-region of Margaret River. Moreover, this wine is from a tiny ridge section from within the middle of this vineyard selectively picked for this wine. Planted to the classic, WA Gin Gin clone, it’s a wine of unbelievable natural acid presence and structural drive. The vineyard is otherwise largely flat and quite close to the coast, some 3 kms only , it is planted on deep silver-grey sands. The picking date is generally relatively early in the Chardonnay season given the vineyards low yielding nature. The grapes were handpicked on 20th of February, two days earlier than 2022. Whole bunch-pressed directly to new, one- and two-year-old puncheons, with no settling or fining processes. This juice was then carefully monitored and spontaneous fermentation kicked off on day five after pressing. After a Four-week ferment, the wine remained on gross lees unsulphured until October of that year. In December the wine was emptied from barrel, settled, filtered and bottled. This is an exciting site that holds amazing acid structure and lovely al dente tannin. It needs some time to truly unfurl, unfold, and show its true colours, but one sniff will show, that it has the character that Nocturne’s SV Chardys are famous for, Flint, funk, just ripe stone fruit, citrus and hope…In hope that change is always to grow and to hopefully improve. Get around this wine bright with flint, funk and grilled lime, it’s a bright new future out there.
2022
2022. Sooooo, things that were just right. The Forrest Vineyard in central Willyabrup and as you may now know my first and devastatingly brutal love, the tiny Tassel Park vineyard was wiped out in 2021 and in 2022 but hope springs eternal and I have learnt to love again. This second SV wine from this excellent site builds on last year’s work and is pretty darn special. The fruit is of course from a single site, the Forrest Vineyard in the Willyabrup sub-region of Margaret River. Moreover, this wine is from a tiny ridge section from within the middle of this vineyard selectively picked for this wine. Planted to the classic, WA Gin Gin clone, it’s a wine of unbelievable natural acid presence and structural drive. The vineyard is otherwise largely flat and quite close to the coast, some 3 kms only and in common with Tasslel Park, it is planted on deep silver-grey sands. The picking date is generally relatively early in the Chardonnay season given the vineyards low yielding nature.
The grapes were handpicked on 18th of February, a day earlier than 2021, again which I find weird; and whole bunch-pressed directly to new, one- and two-year-old puncheons, with no settling or fining processes. This juice was then carefully monitored and spontaneous fermentation kicked off on day five after pressing. After a Four-week ferment, the wine remained on gross lees un sulphured until September of that year. In December the wine was emptied from barrel, settled, filtered and bottled. This is an exciting site that holds amazing acid structure and lovely al dente tannin. It needs some time to truly unfurl, unfold, and show its true colours, but one sniff will show, that it has the character that Nocturne’s SV Chardys are famous for, Flint, funk, just ripe stone fruit, citrus and hope.... In hope that change is always to grow and to hopefully improve. Get around this wine bright with flint, funk and grilled lime, it’s a bright new future out there.
The grapes were handpicked on 18th of February, a day earlier than 2021, again which I find weird; and whole bunch-pressed directly to new, one- and two-year-old puncheons, with no settling or fining processes. This juice was then carefully monitored and spontaneous fermentation kicked off on day five after pressing. After a Four-week ferment, the wine remained on gross lees un sulphured until September of that year. In December the wine was emptied from barrel, settled, filtered and bottled. This is an exciting site that holds amazing acid structure and lovely al dente tannin. It needs some time to truly unfurl, unfold, and show its true colours, but one sniff will show, that it has the character that Nocturne’s SV Chardys are famous for, Flint, funk, just ripe stone fruit, citrus and hope.... In hope that change is always to grow and to hopefully improve. Get around this wine bright with flint, funk and grilled lime, it’s a bright new future out there.
2021
2021. Sooooo, things that were just right. The Forrest Vineyard in central Willyabrup and as you may now know my first and devastatingly brutal love, the tiny Tassel Park vineyard was wiped out in 2021 and in 2022 but hope springs eternal and I have learnt to love again. This second SV wine from this excellent site builds on last year’s work and is pretty darn special. The fruit is of course from a single site, the Forrest Vineyard in the Willyabrup sub-region of Margaret River. Moreover, this wine is from a tiny ridge section from within the middle of this vineyard selectively picked for this wine. Planted to the classic, WA Gin Gin clone, it’s a wine of unbelievable natural acid presence and structural drive. The vineyard is otherwise largely flat and quite close to the coast, some 3 kms only and in common with Tasslel Park, it is planted on deep silver-grey sands. The picking date is generally relatively early in the Chardonnay season given the vineyards low yielding nature.
The grapes were handpicked on 18th of February, a day earlier than 2021, again which I find weird; and whole bunch-pressed directly to new, one- and two-year-old puncheons, with no settling or fining processes. This juice was then carefully monitored and spontaneous fermentation kicked off on day five after pressing. After a Four-week ferment, the wine remained on gross lees un sulphured until September of that year. In December the wine was emptied from barrel, settled, filtered and bottled. This is an exciting site that holds amazing acid structure and lovely al dente tannin. It needs some time to truly unfurl, unfold, and show its true colours, but one sniff will show, that it has the character that Nocturne’s SV Chardys are famous for, Flint, funk, just ripe stone fruit, citrus and hope.... In hope that change is always to grow and to hopefully improve. Get around this wine bright with flint, funk and grilled lime, it’s a bright new future out there.
The grapes were handpicked on 18th of February, a day earlier than 2021, again which I find weird; and whole bunch-pressed directly to new, one- and two-year-old puncheons, with no settling or fining processes. This juice was then carefully monitored and spontaneous fermentation kicked off on day five after pressing. After a Four-week ferment, the wine remained on gross lees un sulphured until September of that year. In December the wine was emptied from barrel, settled, filtered and bottled. This is an exciting site that holds amazing acid structure and lovely al dente tannin. It needs some time to truly unfurl, unfold, and show its true colours, but one sniff will show, that it has the character that Nocturne’s SV Chardys are famous for, Flint, funk, just ripe stone fruit, citrus and hope.... In hope that change is always to grow and to hopefully improve. Get around this wine bright with flint, funk and grilled lime, it’s a bright new future out there.
2020
2020. Sooooo, things that were just right. The Forrest Vineyard in central Willyabrup and as you may now know my first and devastatingly brutal love, the tiny Tassel Park vineyard was wiped out in 2021 and in 2022 but hope springs eternal and I have learnt to love again. This second SV wine from this excellent site builds on last year’s work and is pretty darn special. The fruit is of course from a single site, the Forrest Vineyard in the Willyabrup sub-region of Margaret River. Moreover, this wine is from a tiny ridge section from within the middle of this vineyard selectively picked for this wine. Planted to the classic, WA Gin Gin clone, it’s a wine of unbelievable natural acid presence and structural drive. The vineyard is otherwise largely flat and quite close to the coast, some 3 kms only and in common with Tasslel Park, it is planted on deep silver-grey sands. The picking date is generally relatively early in the Chardonnay season given the vineyards low yielding nature.
The grapes were handpicked on 18th of February, a day earlier than 2021, again which I find weird; and whole bunch-pressed directly to new, one- and two-year-old puncheons, with no settling or fining processes. This juice was then carefully monitored and spontaneous fermentation kicked off on day five after pressing. After a Four-week ferment, the wine remained on gross lees un sulphured until September of that year. In December the wine was emptied from barrel, settled, filtered and bottled. This is an exciting site that holds amazing acid structure and lovely al dente tannin. It needs some time to truly unfurl, unfold, and show its true colours, but one sniff will show, that it has the character that Nocturne’s SV Chardys are famous for, Flint, funk, just ripe stone fruit, citrus and hope.... In hope that change is always to grow and to hopefully improve. Get around this wine bright with flint, funk and grilled lime, it’s a bright new future out there.
The grapes were handpicked on 18th of February, a day earlier than 2021, again which I find weird; and whole bunch-pressed directly to new, one- and two-year-old puncheons, with no settling or fining processes. This juice was then carefully monitored and spontaneous fermentation kicked off on day five after pressing. After a Four-week ferment, the wine remained on gross lees un sulphured until September of that year. In December the wine was emptied from barrel, settled, filtered and bottled. This is an exciting site that holds amazing acid structure and lovely al dente tannin. It needs some time to truly unfurl, unfold, and show its true colours, but one sniff will show, that it has the character that Nocturne’s SV Chardys are famous for, Flint, funk, just ripe stone fruit, citrus and hope.... In hope that change is always to grow and to hopefully improve. Get around this wine bright with flint, funk and grilled lime, it’s a bright new future out there.
