“The Chardonnay style at Xanadu is pronounced… the extraordinarily taut, nervy acidity endemic to the Gingin clone on full display, and boy, does it shine.” - Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

TWENNY BUCKS?!!! 95 points, and a couple of 94s for good measure?

Can’t. Contain. Excitement.

I mean at 40 bucks this wine should have been long sold out as a Cru-level white Burgundy copycat with that unmistakable Margaret River intensity, and complexity to spare.

Chardonnay geeks, the explanation of greatness here lies in the clonal selection, this prized national treasure is locally called Gingin, and was traced back to California’s Old Wente, which is traced back to, you guessed it, Meursault! What makes it their own in Margaret River are the gravelly soils and the ocean-swept breezes of their unique terroir.

Gorgeous exotic citrus of all kinds, from flesh to pith, from peel to rind. Layers of stone fruits and stony minerals complement the green apple skin and toasty hazelnut accents. Fresh and long with nori, yuzu, and candied ginger, this is what most Chardonnays dream of being, but often can’t. Each sip leaves you yearning for the next…

“I spent all last week tasting Burgundies, but the more whites I tried, the more I lusted after the Western Australian alternatives…” Jancis Robinson famously wrote once, further explaining that “Western Australia’s most famous wine region, Margaret River, may have only half a century of wine production under its belt, as opposed to Burgundy’s at least 20 centuries. And Chardonnay was by no means the first grape variety tried in ‘Margs’, as some Australians call it. But the local grape growers and winemakers certainly have a way with the white Burgundy grape.”

Speaking of “a way” James Halliday’s Winemaker of the Year for 2023 went to Glenn Goodall of, you guessed it again (getting good at this!): “This year’s winner of best winemaker is no stranger to the award. Goodall was nominated last year and has been chief winemaker of celebrated label Xanadu for over 15 years, so it makes sense that this year saw him receive well-deserved acknowledgment for his hard work.”

Halliday adds, “if you have any left” this 2019 is AT PEAK… with will WE have any left as the real pressing concern.

95 Points – The Real Review

“Pale lemon-yellow colour. Lemon, thyme and struck-flint aromas. Light and bright, grapefruit core, layered with seaside notes and just roast cashews. The acidity brightens everything, shining a light as the delicate fruit flows into a long and vibrant finish.”

94 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“The Xanadu 2019 Chardonnay is taut, saline, and edgy, with lanolin and cheesecloth woven into the very fabric of the fruit. There are also notes of preserved lemon and brine. Super smart. Needs time. Drink 2024-2029.”

94 Points – James Halliday

“Gingin clone, whole-bunch pressed, wild ferment in barrel (25% new). Bâtonnage over 9 months barrel maturation prior to blending. Nashi pear, white peach and briny acid form the core of this wine, but they are joined by crushed salted cashews and red apple skins. Demands decanting to soften the edges, if drinking in its youth – this label really kicks into gear about 2 years after release (if you have any left).”