Description
“The sheer quality of the wines he makes is equalled only by his consistency” James Halliday.
BEST VALUE WINERY OF THE YEAR in JAMES HALLIDAY’S AUSTRALIAN WINE COMPANION 2020
When I met winemaker Bruce Dukes from Domaine Naturaliste I was bowled over by how striking every wine was that I tasted in his lineup … A rare occurrence when you’re tasting wines every day. The success did not happen by accident. He has an intimate knowledge of all the terroirs of Margaret River after spending 25 years honing his craft with leading Margaret River producers such as Pierro wines. He is a trained agronomist and has a Masters in viticulture and Oenology from U.C. Davis … he also worked for 4 years at Neibaum Coppola in Napa, USA. Bruce seeks freshness of fruit, perfume, texture, overall balance, restraint with low to moderate alcohol in all his beautiful wines. Domaine Naturaliste is named after the northern most Cape of Margaret River, Cape Naturaliste, where the winery is situated. Minuscule production of top shelf wines across the board.
The Flagship series is Bruce Dukes’ finest expression of the iconic Margaret River varietals. “Flagship is our passion and inspiration, the reason we make wine.” From terroir and fruit selection, to palate and aroma, Bruce Dukes expertly balances these variables, resulting in wines that are complex and ultimately delicious.
About this wine: Artus is an artistic translation of the local Gin Gin clone into wine. The wine creates its own journey. It is a provocative, complex and textural wine exuding the seductive spirit of old world Chardonnay. The vines have been managed to allow only dappled light into the fruiting zone. This promotes flavour development, low tannins and bright levels of natural acidity. The fruit is sourced from Karridale the cool southern end of Margaret River which imparts racy succulence. The tiny 100g Gin Gin clusters are hand harvested at first light to preserve freshness of fruit.
About the 2022 vintage from the winemaker: “The 2021 to 2022 growing season in Margaret River was one of the highlights in my 33 years of winemaking. Gentle and sustained sunny days provided fruit characterized by intense aromatics, coating natural acidity, and ultra-fine tannin and tension. Fruit was picked purely based on the gorgeous balance of natural acidity and pure fruit expression.”
“Artus is an artistic translation of our local Gin Gin clone into wine. It is a provocative, complex and textural wine exuding the seductive spirit of “old world” Chardonnay. Flavours of fresh nectarines and candied pecan nuts are supported by aromas of poached pears and marzipan.”
Gold, 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards, London “Strident steely citrus and taut mineral notes preside over refined oak. Focused and finessed with a creamy texture and a conterbalancing bristle of tense acidity.”
97 points, Ray Jordan “Savoury butterscotch and creme brulee swirl through an engaging palate defined by a keen acid and a little grapefruit to close. Just a beautiful wine.”
96 points, Dr Angus Hughson“…nectarine and mango aromas with a strong line of toasty oak, accented by chalky complexity. Long and sleek…”
95 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review “A touch of funk here, some smoky sulfides and toasty barrel derived character allied with nougat honey and toasted nuts. A wine of refinement and restraint as well as good depth of flavour, the refreshing acidity towing the flavour long through an extended finish.”
RRP $67 *Our Special Price $52.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine*
