McHenry Hohnen was founded in 2004 by pioneering Margaret River winemaker (Cape Mentelle) and third-generation farmer David Hohnen and his brother-in-law, grape-grower and wine retailer Murray McHenry. With an ethos of quality over quantity, we create small lots of expressive, authentic, fine wines, says Hohnen. Three vineyards, in the central-southern part of Margaret River, are farmed organically and/or biodynamically. Laterite Hills Chardonnay is a blend of material from these family-owned and farmed vineyards -- Burnside, Calgardup and Hazels. The wine takes its name from the generally lateritic soils of Margaret River south and is made in the same way as the three single-vineyard Chardonnays. Fruit is hand picked and whole bunch pressed, before undergoing wild yeast fermentation and six months maturation in French oak barriques (20% new). The wine is then transferred to tank for a further three months maturation on lees. It is clarified but not filtered before bottling.

Pears, stone fruit and citrus gives way to a creamy, nutty middle and fresh acidity to close.

An elegant, vibrant and fragrant nose with lemon, lime and pear in the foreground. Notes of peach blossom and subtle jasmine create lift and combines with cardamom pod, almond meal and roasted cashew. The palate has immense purity, with power and persistence. Lime and lemon pith define the palate, which carries through to a delicately layered middle, threaded with a fine mineral spine. Sesame seed and blanched almonds enhance complexity, finishing with a sparkling acid structure. This wine has energy in its youth, and will build texture with cellaring.

The wine is super pale with green flashes. The nose is complex, evolving slowly to a cascade of ripe citrus, highlighted by flinty minerality. The palate is fine and very tight. The acid structure is breathtaking in its length and persistence drawing out flavours of white stone fruits with complexing oak structure.

The citrus rind and grapefuit lead the palate to an overall fine yet textural journey. Cape Mentelle Chardonnay had this distinctive minerally line too, apparent with focussed refreshing acidity. Faint nuancesof soft nougat and cashews also add to what is a harmonious balance and an elegant and length finish.

This dazzling riff on Frankland River Riesling is drawn from hand-selected fruit from two of Swinney’s oldest blocks. Vibrant kumquat and mandarin orange aromas with a touch of basil. Sleek, crisp and focused with tons of stony energy driving the long, precise finish.

This aromatic white blend is a fusion of 92% Sauvignon Blanc grapes with 8% Semillon grapes. These fruit parcels were harvested in the cool of the night and then cold pressed. The juice obtained was fermented in stainless steel before bottling. The resulting blend displays a pale green colour. The lifted bouquet exudes fresh aromas of guava, with hints of Semillon grapes evident in the background. The medium-bodied palate initially presents flint dry and racy fruit flavours, balanced by crisp acidity. The finale is excellent and lingering. Made for consumption upon release, this enticing white wine has the potential to be cellared for 2 to 3 years from vintage. Swings & Roundabouts Sauvignon Blanc Semillon goes well with poached salmon, Rottnest King George whiting or goat cheese.

This stunning Riesling from the West is all limes and citrus with great length and depth of flavour. The only problem with this wine is there is never enough to go around.

The wine displays fresh green tinges on a pale straw colour. The nose exhibits aromas of fresh cut pear and honey dew melon with some zesty citric notes. There are no overt woody or buttery aromas with the primary fruit characters expressed with clarity and definition. The palate is fresh and lively with clean crisp acidity complementing the vibrant fruity flavours. The palate has very good extension and ends clean and bright. The Hay Shed Hill vineyard is situated on a picturesque property that was established as a group settlement farm for returned soldiers from the First World War. Known as Sussex Vale the property was originally a dairy farm. The current homestead, considerably renovated, still has much of the original Group Settlement look and feel. Vines were first planted in the early 1970s. In the late 1980s the vineyard was bought by the Morrison Family and the wine brand Hay Shed Hill was established taking its name from the local reference to the hay shed located on the property. The sister label, Pitchfork, was developed to complement the single vineyard Hay Shed Hill label. A series of ownership changes saw numerous alterations to labels, wine style and distribution until the current group of partners bought back the farm and the brand in late 2006 and returned to the original concept of producing wine with integrity that expresses the quality of the site.