2025 L.A.S. Vino Wildberry Springs Chardonnay

If the Barrels of Metricup is the "classic" Margaret River Chardonnay, then Nic Peterkin describes the Wildberry Springs as the "ballerina" - all finesse, elegance, and beauty. It’s sourced from a 30-year-old Wilyabrup site that Nic spent years begging to work with, and it’s about as close to a perfect vineyard as you’ll find in the region.

The 2025 release continues a shift that started in 2024, where Nic began receiving fruit from a new section of the vineyard. This specific block has even more Gin-Gin clone concentration, which has injected a serious amount of richness and weight into what is usually a very lean, high-tension wine. It’s a great year for this label, reminding us that you can have all that classic Wilyabrup power without losing the focused, architectural edge.

The winemaking here is all about preserving clarity. Nic uses only the free-run juice and splits the fermentation between French barriques and quartz amphorae of various shapes and sizes. By skipping malolactic fermentation, he keeps the natural acidity electric and the finish flinty. You get that signature mix of peach, lemon curd, and green apple, backed by a "struck match" character and a touch of cream from regular lees stirring. It’s tightly coiled and incredibly pure, built to drink beautifully now or age for a decade.