2023 Corymbia Chenin Blanc

The Swan Valley is one of Australia’s hottest wine regions where we think we make some pretty cool wines, particularly in a vintage like 2023, which avoided the usual heat spikes typical of our hot, dry summers. This meant a vintage of great balance, freshness and drinkability while retaining the potential to age into something even more beautiful in 6-8 years. Only Chenin Blanc can blossom with age which is why we only grow this white variety and nothing else.  

We dedicate our single vineyard Swan Valley wines to Rob’s late father and former Australian Test Cricketer Tony “Rocket” Mann. With a lightening arm, Tony was well known to “rocket” the ball in from the outfield to hit middle stump. Aside from cricket, Tony loved wine. An old currant vineyard caught his eye, which he quickly transformed into a Chenin Blanc oasis, with Rob, 31 years ago. The fruit is now dry grown and organically farmed by Rob and Genevieve Mann. In July 2022 we proudly achieved “certified organic” status with ACO Certification Ltd.  

The grapes were hand harvested and whole bunch pressed prior to natural fermentation. A portion was fermented & matured in seasoned French oak barriques for 5 months prior to blending and bottling. The wine has a crystalline clarity with aromas of lemon sherbet, honeycomb, jasmine blossom and pear. The palate is full flavored yet restrained with citrus pith and loquats, underpinned by a briny, oyster shell, savory backbone and a soft, dry finish. The wine leaves you gasping for more alongside a bucket full of crispy panko crumbed whiting and tartar sauce.  

Corymbia calophylla is the botanical name for the West Australian marri tree which grows tall and strong on the state’s best vineyard sites. The image is a graphical expression of the 12-month climatic data for the vintage year, whose form represents the marri blossom in full bloom. The 365 stamens represent the daily minimum and maximum temperatures against the monthly average.  The darker colored blocks represent the monthly & average rainfall. January is at 12 o’clock and the red stamen is the harvest date. The infographic mimics our natural environment as its form changes subtly each year and is the purest expression of the vintage conditions in which our fruit was grown. Label design by graphic designer Emma Mann. – Rob & Gen Mann