McHenry Hohnen was founded in 2004 by pioneering Margaret River winemaker (Cape Mentelle) and third-generation farmer David Hohnen and his brother-in-law, grape-grower and wine retailer Murray McHenry. With an ethos of quality over quantity, we create small lots of expressive, authentic, fine wines, says Hohnen. Three vineyards, in the central-southern part of Margaret River, are farmed organically and/or biodynamically. Laterite Hills Chardonnay is a blend of material from these family-owned and farmed vineyards -- Burnside, Calgardup and Hazels. The wine takes its name from the generally lateritic soils of Margaret River south and is made in the same way as the three single-vineyard Chardonnays. Fruit is hand picked and whole bunch pressed, before undergoing wild yeast fermentation and six months maturation in French oak barriques (20% new). The wine is then transferred to tank for a further three months maturation on lees. It is clarified but not filtered before bottling.

The grapes for this wine come from the Belford vineyard owned by the Elliott family, situated 15km north/north-west of the Tyrrells winery. The grapes were handpicked then lightly crushed before a relatively cool fermentation in stainless steel. After a short period on gross lees, the wine was racked and left to mature in stainless steel until bottling. The last of the semillon picked, this wine has a fuller palate commonly associated with the Belford vineyard, with great fruit intensity and a slightly higher acid intensity than normal years due to the cooler growing conditions.

Lifted nose of citrus and nectarine with slight hints of hazelnut. Classic nectarine & citrus carry onto the palate with bright fruit intensity balanced by natural acidity and length. Delicate hints of lifted hazelnut notes are delivered by 9 months in puncheons & barriques; this is a fine & elegantly structured Chardonnay.

Floral fruit in youth, moving towards biscuity characters with age. A generally softer bodied palate with smoother acids than the Vat 1 and Belford Semillons.

A different expression altogether sans the benefit of bottle age. Youthful. Zesty. Punchy. As filigreed of talcy acidity and fine boned as the rest of the crew, this is guava, lemon grass and sherbet, teeming along a line of candied citrus chew. The wine will blossom in the medium term, but will not shy away from some aged furrows and complexity. Alcohol: 12%. Closure: screwcap. Date tasted: Jan 2018. Drink by: 2029. Price: $35. Rating: 94/100.

This Chardonnay delights with a vibrant interplay of citrus and nectarine notes, subtly kissed by French oak. The natural acidity contributes to its remarkable length and driving energy, leading to a delightful finale of vanilla pannacotta and hazelnuts

COLOUR Pale gold with a fine, persistent bead. BOUQUET Fresh aromas green apples and citrus fruit with a slight toast and biscuit characters from time on lees. PALATE The palate has clean citrus and white nectarine flavours with some toasty and biscuity notes. A long textural palate with a fine, lively bead and a delicate mousse.