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LS Merchants & South By Southwest Margaret River Case
Wines included
South by South West Yallingup Margaret River Chardonnay 2022
Yallingup is a sub region in the north of Margaret River and home to South by South West's vineyard closest to the ocean. Whether by chance or by science, this wine has a delicious note of the ocean throughout, with hints of oyster shell and seaweed as well as classic Margaret River nuttiness, straw and a flint character. The palate is deceptively focused, with bright, driving acidity bringing remarkable tension. The grapes having been hand-picked and whole-bunch-pressed into 30% new oak, and the wine has a generous texture while maintaining impeccable precision. Classic Margaret River chardonnay presented in a particularly fine and fresh style.
South By South West Treeton Margaret River Chenin Blanc 2023
Chenin blanc has a long history in Western Australia, with the first plantings coming from South Africa over 150 years ago. This example comes from the Treeton sub-region of Margaret River in Western Australia and is brooding and delicately toasty on the nose, with notes of nougat and charred peaches. The palate is broad and fleshy with nicely integrated acidity. Long and complex on the finish with a note of peppery brioche, lime zest and mouthwatering salinity. This is barrel fermented but using no new oak, meaning the texture is full and rounded but without imparting any over-the-top oak flavour.
LS Merchants Wilyabrup Margaret River Chardonnay 2023
Remarkably elegant chardonnay from the prime Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River. Winemaker Dylan Arvidson has a lot of experience, working across Australia and abroad, and in 2015 he started buying parcels of fruit to make wines under what is now the LS Merchants name, where he focuses on doing everything by hand and in small batches. This is an incredibly pure expression of Margaret River chardonnay, which would sit comfortably against pricier white Burgundy. The nose is precise, with nuttiness, flint, a hint of brioche and lemon curd. Produced using a mix of new and old French oak puncheons and with a high percentage of solids for more flavour, this is a textured, fine and succulent white wine. The acidity is pristine but not at all austere and ties everything together remarkably well, with notes of lemon, apricot and pear fruit, five-spice and candied lime peel on the palate. This is a masterful take on Australian chardonnay and a must-try for lovers of the grape. Decant.