Description
Walsh and Sons is about little wines with big personalities. By using biodynamic methods in their vineyard and natural winemaking techniques they aim to make lighter styles that are fun, youthful and different to the mainstream.
“We believe that it’s our differences that set us apart and so we choose to enhance these in our wines rather than suppress them. You won’t find clean edges and tarted up tastes more like a grubby sand pit or a snotty nose.
Our philosophies are developed through transcending the tangible senses of sight, smell, taste, touch and sound. Our winemaking relies very much on the non-tangible senses of inspiration, intuition and innovation. But using these we seek out a more informed expression of who we are whilst respecting the purity of our natural ingredients.” Winemakers, Ryan and Freya.
Ryan Walsh and Freya Hohnen have been involved in winemaking at the vineyard and winery level since their childhoods (Freya is the daughter of David Hohnen, one of the founders of Cape Mentelle and Cloudy Bay) Both have travelled the globe to further their knowledge in places such as France, USA, Spain and Switzerland. But their home will always be in Margaret River, WA …. “In the grand scale of things we believe Margaret River is still youthful in its wine age. We believe in technique over technology so our wines retain their raw personalities.”
“Much is yet to be discovered in style and soils and so we make wines from grapes and label them on localities as opposed to the generalised sub regions. Most of our fruit comes from family owned entities in the location of Burnside and Osmington but we do dabble outside the boundaries with friends.
Our immediate family, consisting of our two sons Roi and Hamish, are what we enjoy the most. We’re a little worn of seeing older generations named on bottles when so much lies with our youth. Our core wines are mirrored on personalities of our younger extended family. They sometimes push the boundaries.” Winemakers, Ryan and Freya.
About this wine from the winemaker: “We have Chardonnay because it grows well, has intensity in all elements and we love to drink it. The fact it went in the ground during our childhood builds for us an assoication with its existence and a compelling urge to emulate the Burnside sites’ full potential. Chardonnay is a chamelion variety that finds balance in any wine style. Making it is always effortless yet challenging in the same stroke.”
The Chardonnay hails from one of Margaret River’s finest vineyards unique in it’s aspect and soil .. very steep (25-30 degree gradient which is very rare in Margaret River on the last of the granite ridge so forget the machine harvester!) north facing, laterite soils (decomposed granite) clay over limestone. Planted in 1981 by Freya’s father David Hohnen (part of original Cape Mentelle vineyard) with its unique micaceous black soils, bordered by the famous Margaret river 2 kms from where it meets the ocean. Hand picked and pressed straight to barrel – a combination of new (30%) and 5 year old French oak barriques; all natural yeasts on full lees, unfined and unfiltered.
2020 is a richer, fleshier expression as a touch warmer season. This is a gorgeous expression of barrel fermented chardonnay from this fine site with tremendous fruit intensity, layer upon layer, depth and wonderful finesse on mouthwatering thread of acidity.
Review of 2019: Wine Enthusiast – 97 Points “From Ryan Walsh and Frey Hohnen, whose families have been wine farming in Margaret River For decades, this Chardonnay is refined, age worthy and just plain joyous to drink. Medium gold in hue, he aromas are heady and complex in tones of orange , grapefruit rind, salted nuts, mushroom, gunflint, honey and copper penny. The palate is viscous yet chalky, sliced through the middle by crystalline acidity and more complex, mineral driven flavours. Drink now – 2026″
Last bottles **Special price $47.99 *
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