“This is the best vintage yet!” – Julian Langworthy
Julian Langworthy is quite the wordsmith and many of his, let’s say, taglines, are well known (and loved) to those who have come along for the journey throughout his illustrious winemaking career. And, as much as they’re often received with a chuckle, these turns of phrase are a big contributor to his reputation as one of the most admired and highly-regarded winemakers in this country. Not only is he one of Australia’s most gifted talents, his ability to articulate what is in the glass before you, and how it got there, is something to behold – whether you are just starting your vinous journey or you are a well-seasoned connoisseur.
One bit of personification we’ve heard him throwing around over the past 12 months is this ‘Goldilocks’ reference when talking about the 2023 vintage in Margaret River. And, what better way to sum it up? Not too little or too much of anything – everything was “just right”. We’ve seen this in the sublime Nocturne SR (sub-regional) wines from 2023, and are now excited to the most “epic” of levels to present the 2023 releases of the ‘O.G Nocturne’ – the Single Vineyard wines, to you today.
As always, Cabernet is King, and for this King of Cabernet, his crown jewel, Sheoak Vineyard in the realm of Yallingup, gave rise to a “superlative” wine in 2023 “with density of tannin that is amazing but is so silky, soft and supple, it’s as if it was suspended in air”. Yes, his words, not ours.
This benchmark, head-turning Cabernet strides in with its partner in crime alongside the 2023 Forrest Vineyard Chardonnay, grown in Wilyabrup, taken from a very specific part of this low-yielding vineyard, planted just 3km back from the Margaret River coastline – “the best Nocturne SV Chardonnay to date”. Jules’ words, again.
And, such was the glory of the 2023 vintage, Julian has released a second Chardonnay, grown on the tiny Wilson Vineyard in Wallcliffe, a little further in from the coast. Raw beauty and purity of fruit is the calling card here.
2023 Nocturne Forrest Vineyard Chardonnay $66 RRP
The 2023 Single Vineyard Chardonnay is from the Forrest vineyard in central Wilyabrup, to the north of Margaret River town. The 2023 season that birthed it was magnificent—the best this century for whites; the premium reds are yet to be released. Mild temperatures, a long, dry growing season meant there was little to no pressure in the vineyard. The fruit was in brilliant condition, and the wines show this. The 2023 Single Vineyard Chardonnay leads with elegantly managed reduction, showing curry leaf and brine, white flowers, flint and salted nuts, beeswax, sea spray and fresh pressed linen. This is a pleasure to smell and even better to taste. Ductile, resolved phenolics provide shape on the palate, while the toasty oak sits neatly folded into the fruit. What a wine. Yes. The best release under this label yet. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. 97 points. Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate Nov 2024
2023 NOCTURNE WILSON VINEYARD CHARDONNAY $66 RRP
Of the two single-vineyard wines, the other being Forrest, this has more fruit weight and volume, albeit in a Julian Langworthy manner, as it’s still reined-in and tightly focused. Complete with white nectarine, pink and yellow grapefruit with dabs of ginger (powder and freshly sliced). The palate is harmonious – the right amount of nutty, creamy lees, fine acidity and fruit powering this to a long finish. Excellent wine today, tomorrow and beyond. 96 points. Jane Faulkner, Wine Companion Jan 2025
Juicy pear and citrus, spice, light struck match, a sea spray thing here too. Some gloss, bright acidity, pink grapefruit, lime, and some savoury stuff like parmesan rind and oatmeal, with a zesty finish of excellent length. Lots of energy and very good it is too. 95 points. Gary Walsh, The Winefront Feb 2025
2023 Nocturne SHEOAK VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON $66 RRP
The 2023 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Sheoak vineyard and leads with all the purity, precision and balance that we have come to expect from the glorious 2023 season. You get cassis, raspberry pip, dried herbs, sheets of nori, iodine and leather. The wine is potently intense; the fruit penetrates the palate and stains it with flavor. The wine is still opening up; it’s so young as to be inchoate and with a long, bright future ahead. It has a glittery, purple, shimmering sort of vibrancy to it, as if lit by its own inner light. Margaret River is at its greatest when wines are like this, with concentrated flavor, weight without heaviness, resolved ductile tannins and purity of fruit. Unstoppable. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. 97+ points. Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate Nov 2024