FRASER GALLOP Palladian Chardonnay 2022

Robert Parker Score: 95 points

Reviewer: Erin Larkin — June 2024 Week 320 Jun 2024

Drink 2027–2047

The 2022 Palladian Chardonnay is incredibly tightly coiled right now. I wondered why I gave this wine 95 points, when some of the other wines have warranted higher scores, and this is a brilliant vintage. My feeling on that, tasting this again—the second time in 12 months—and I think that the wine is so tightly constructed that it needs more time. If you have tasted this wine, and wonder why it doesn't have the tension and concentration of some previous vintages, despite the obvious heat of the season, I would counter that it will come, in time. This is a future wine. Gingin clone Chardonnay from Margaret River that has had malolactic fermentation blocked during the winemaking process typically needs five years from harvest for it to start to show its true colors. Today, this is long, lingering, powdery, fine and salty, with candied lime, a hint of ginger, Granny Smith apple, white pepper and white peach. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.