Domaine Naturaliste Artus Chardonnay Margaret River 2023

James Halliday 9
96 punten, Special Value
"While it always comes out as a bit of a powerhouse flavour-wise and in structure, this is backed up by fine acidity, driving this long. It also keeps the substantial flavours of savoury oak, creamed-honey lees and grapefruit in check. Some flinty, funky sulphides add an extra dimension of complexity as it continues to build on the palate."

Nick Ryan
96 punten
"If Purus is a glass box in a Scandinavian forest, this is the stuffed drawing room of a stately home, adornment in abundance, a feast for the senses. The one with the lot. Gin Gin unchained. Popcorn and curry leaf, grapefruit pith and yellow nectarine, grilled pineapple and nougat. Glorious."

Ray Jordan
96 punten
"Plenty happening in this funky and wild expression of Chardonnay. On the nose, an intense combination of butterscotch, roasted cashew, and lemon curd with a vanilla bean lift reveal. The palate is layered with a complex maze and intricate weave of flavours reflecting the initial aromas. And then a minerally finish completes a very good wine."

Wine Pilot
96 punten
"Gingin clone grown in Karridale, wild fermentation, malolactic fermentation and matured in 40% new oak and battonage applied every two weeks. To many Chardonnay lovers, the aroma of this wine will have you swooning. Sliced pineapple, peach cheeks and the classiest of new oak wafts from the glass. Mace, vanilla bean and buttered sourdough toast. Acidity increases over long moments and provides a zingy note to the luscious creamy mouthfeel of cashew, butter and lemon curd. Flavours last for days and it’s near impossible not to be searching for your glass for the next sip. Beguiling and a real work of beauty. Drink with bubbling macaroni and cheese. You can thank me later."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
95 punten
"The 2023 Artus Chardonnay represents everything the Purus is not: full malolactic fermentation, toasty oak, Gingin clone. It is big, and it is often rambunctious in its opulence. Here, within the confines of the excellent and cool 2023 season, those more overt characteristics feel tamed, restrained and kept in check. This is all about ripe yellow peach, taut citrus notes, briny acidity, lush phenolics and powerful fruit intensity. On the palate, the acidity is juicy and chewy, and the mouth provides a full sensory experience—one to chew, to think on and to taste. I like this Artus through the lens of this cool-season harness very much indeed. Crushed and salted nuts linger on the finish."

Wine Front
95 punten
"This is all Gin Gin clone from Karridale. Malo and 40% new oak. Rich lime, peach, a fair clip of toasty spicy oak and struck match, salted pistachio and mint. It’s a powerful wine, lots of flavour and presence, a rich gloss to it, though it’s cut by bright citrus acidity, cloves and plenty of grip giving it a tactile intensity, nutty and tangy on a finish of excellent length. It’s Margaret River Chardonnay in full flight. Very good. Impressive wine."