STELLA BELLA Suckfizzle Chardonnay 2022

Robert Parker Score: 95 points

Reviewer: Erin Larkin — End of November 202330 Nov 2023

Drink 2023–2037

I really like the Chardonnays from Stella Bella. They are powerful and piercingly intense. The 2022 vintage in Margaret River was warm and low yielding, especially for Chardonnay. I have been very impressed by the quality of the wines produced in this great season and am still deciding how good of a cellaring proposition they will make, and indeed, whether or not I even care because they offer such unfettered pleasure now. That said, this 2022 Suckfizzle Chardonnay is from the extreme south of Margaret River and the conditions down there are generally cooler, wetter and windier than the rest of the region. This is great for natural acid retention, especially in a warm vintage. This has crushed nuts, brine, yellow peach, green apple, yuzu and preserved citrus, pink grapefruit, saltbush, ocean spray and green olive. In the mouth, the tannic structure is open-weave and raw feeling—the fruit is powerful and concentrated and spools through the finish, propelled by penetrating acidity. Very good. It's a bit rambunctious at this early stage. 12.9% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.