JD Cellars latest mailer is offering
Wills Domain Paladin Hill Chardonnay 2020 for approx $40.
Been a bit of chat around these parts regarding Wills Domain so I thought I would record some thoughts.
I've been a fan of the winery for a while now, and it's unfortunate to see them having to resort to back channels to sell wine, and the corresponding devaluation of RRPs (the Curtis effect?). The wines themselves are usually above average to very good for the vintage, a step below Mosswood, Woodlands, Leeuwin et al. but not a huge step.
I say this in reference to their top end Chardonnay and Cabernet/Cabernet Blend, I don't drink much of the lower labels, which have always struck me as adequate. I also steer clear of non-typical MR varietals that they make, e.g. Shiraz, Schuerebe, sparkling etc... In my estimation MR Shiraz never, ever fails to disappoint; although of course educated palates disagree.
Vintage wise, firstly Wills has moved in a positive direction since about 2016, particularly evident since 2018, from very full bodied, ripe, oaky, malo expressions, to a much more contemporary leaner style. Secondly the chat around the winemakers at the moment is that 2020 was very, very good, and maybe better than 2018.
Also, the restaurant is bloody fantastic lately and I would put it up there with Vasse.
Thanks for coming to my TED talk about an obscure wine producer in MR.