Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Chardonay vertical 2023-2010

[Waiters Friend]

G’day

I’ve been a fan of this Margaret River wine since I first discovered the 2011 vintage. I have also hosted, or been involved in, a number of vertical tastings over the past few years.

https://forum.auswine.club/viewtopic.php?p=1 ... 4d#p160150

https://forum.auswine.club/viewtopic.php?p=1 ... 4d#p166580

https://forum.auswine.club/viewtopic.php?p=1 ... 4d#p172541

The last of these was hosted by my mate Leigh, as a way of celebrating his birthday. This year, he repeated the birthday exercise, but this time sticking solely to the Fraser Gallop Chardonnay, and presenting every release to date - 14 wines in total, and a superb collection. Leigh is a fountain of knowledge on most things Margaret River, and comes out with relevant facts and figures readily. 16 of us were present for this tasting.

A couple of points to note:

1. The chardonnay plantings at Fraser Gallop are 100% Mendoza (Gin Gin) clone.
2. The chardonnays undergo no malolactic fermentation.
3. Alcohol levels differ moderately according to vintage, but acid and residual sugar levels do not differ greatly. The wines are clearly made to a house style, with almost uniform oak treatment and handling.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Chardonnay 2023: Pale lemon colour. Peaches and stone fruits are prominent on the nose initially, but closely followed by citrus (lemon and a touch of grapefruit) and some cedary oak. The palate shows more citrus than the nose suggested, and there’s a degree of creamy texture alongside clean and fresh acid and more of that cedary oak. Medium to long finish and everything in balance. Bodes well for the future, and well regarded by other tasters (and myself).

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Chardonnay 2022: Pale lemon colour. The nose shows cedary oak over peaches, nectarines, lemon and lime. The palate has more savoury oak, with grapefruit and lemon surprisingly dominant. There’s a modest creamy texture and a medium to long finish.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Chardonnay 2021: From a cooler vintage. Lemon colour. The oak dominates the nose slightly, with pineapple and citrus fruits to the fore, and modest stone fruit notes in the background. The palate reflects this, with lemon, grapefruit and a touch of ginger. I find the acid a little sharp and the citrus too prominent. Medium to long finish.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Chardonnay 2020: From a warmer vintage. Lemon colour. A more powerful nose than the 2021, and more shaped by peaches and nectarines. There’s some savoury oak evident as well. The palate is similarly powerful, with the savoury oak elements slightly dominating the stone fruits (although there’s some very ripe peach fruit here). A touch of creaminess also. The acid has integrated somewhat and the wine finishes reasonably long. Well regarded by the group.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Chardonnay 2019: From a cooler vintage, and the only wine in the line-up to undergo partial malolactic conversion. Lemon colour. The nose is citrus dominated, with some savouriness and stone fruits.
beneath. The palate continues the citrus theme, especially lime. There’s also some ginger notes. Acid seems gentle in comparison to surrounding wines, and a medium to long finish. A polarising wine, with some tasters enthusiastically in favour, and others not so.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Chardonnay 2018: Lemon colour. Lots of everything on the nose – ripe peaches, nectarines, cedary oak, in abundance. The palate was probably the most textural of the tasting, with excellent oak usage, ripe peaches, some lemon / lime, mealy, savoury notes and supporting acid. Long finish and everything in balance – a complete wine. Highly regarded by the group and possibly the wine of the night.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Chardonnay 2017: Another cooler vintage. Lemon colour. A citrus dominated nose (although oak is noticeable as well) with stone fruits lurking in the background and a touch of crème brulee, There’s more lemon, lime and grapefruit on the palate, with some mineral notes. High acid (relatively speaking) and a medium to long finish. Some tasters were enthusiastic about this wine, but it wasn’t my personal favourite.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Chardonnay 2016: The surprise package of this tasting for me. It was the first wine to show signs of development but in a good way. The nose is complex with mealy savoury notes, peaches, nectarine, cashews and just a hint of citrus. The palate is round and full, with ginger and sage added to the flavours on the nose. There’s more stone fruits and cedary oak, and quite a long finish. It shows palate weight and is balanced. Depending on how old you like your chardonnay, this is at or close to its peak. Well regarded by the group.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Chardonnay 2015: Pale yellow colour. A savoury nose, with a mix of stone fruit, citrus and mealy notes. A similarly savoury palate, with supporting acid and a long finish. Reasonably balanced and my only quibble was a very slightly sour finish. This disappeared over time.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Chardonnay 2014: Yellow colour. A clean nose with lemon, lime, a touch of butter, some tropical fruits and moderate cedary oak. Stone fruits are in the background. There’s quite intense lemon on the palate. Medium to high acid and savoury notes with associated grip. Lemon lime cordial towards the back palate. A long finish and showing slight development.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Chardonnay 2013: Paler yellow colour than the preceding wines. A complex and developed nose, with citrus slightly dominant. The palate is a mix of fruit and savoury notes, with gentle acid and some mouthfeel / grip. Medium to long finish and well balanced. Possibly at its peak and well regarded by the group.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Chardonnay 2012: Yellow colour. A more modest nose than the surrounding wines, with oak slightly dominating citrus and stone fruits. The palate is similarly a little shy, with gentle acid, supporting oak and a little grip. The fruit flavours are fully developed, and the wine is soft overall. Possibly a couple of years past its best.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Chardonnay 2011: My last bottle of this was a couple of years ago and tonight’s bottle was better. Pale yellow (lighter than surrounding wines). A surprisingly full nose, with developed peaches and nectarines, and cedary oak notes. Slightly more citrus than stone fruits on the palate, but a good mix of both. Softer acid, good mouthfeel and a long finish. Some tasters loved it, while others felt it might be slightly past it. It was good to revisit this wine.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Chardonnay 2010: Yellow colour. A modest nose, with melon, peach and lime cordial. The palate shows developed lemon/lime cordial, some savouriness and grip, medium length and a slightly sour finish. Another wine that may have looked better a couple of years ago, but well worth a look.

A fabulous evening, with a bunch of well-informed and experienced wine enthusiasts. Profound thanks to Leigh for choosing to celebrate his birthday (again) in this manner, and I hope we repeat this again next year.

Cheers
Allan

[DaveS]

Thanks for the notes. I've also drunk most vintages of this wine. The 2018 and 2023 are my favourites.