Cowpunk Natural Margaret River Chardonnay 2024: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Gently oaked & modern

A vibrant, naturally styled Margaret River Chardonnay that balances lemon-lime freshness and pale stone fruit with gentle buttery oak and a savoury finish. Hand-picked, vegan and made with no added preservative, it has texture without heaviness, plus a critic-approved streak of energy and length.

Highlights

• Natural, vegan and made with no added preservative
• Crafted by Cowpunk winemaker Nicholas Crampton from Margaret River Chardonnay
• Lemon citrus, white florals, pale stone fruit and savoury length
• Hand-picked from an established single vineyard south of Margaret River township
• 92 points from Ray Jordan, Winepilot
• 12.5% ABV

Tasting Notes

White florals and lemon citrus lead into pale peach and nectarine, with a little grapefruit pith adding definition. The palate is medium-bodied and finely textured, bringing together zesty lemon-lime, restrained buttery oak and refreshing acidity. A savoury, lightly vanillin edge develops through the finish, which is persistent, balanced and food-friendly.

Winemaking

The Chardonnay was hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed, with only the free-run juice selected. It went directly into second-use oak for fermentation on full solids, then spent three months on yeast lees with intermittent stirring to build texture. A further three months in a combination of larger oak and stainless steel preserved freshness while gently integrating the savoury oak character.

Vineyard & Vintage

The fruit came from an established single vineyard just south of Margaret River township. The region’s 2024 season delivered an early, fast-paced harvest after warm, dry growing conditions. Lower yields brought concentration, while early Chardonnay picking retained bright natural acidity, freshness and purity.

Why We Love It

This is Chardonnay with enough texture and oak to satisfy, yet plenty of citrus energy to keep every glass lively. The reusable swing-top bottle adds Cowpunk’s playful edge, while the wine itself is composed and detailed: expressive fruit, savoury complexity and a clean, long finish. Its 92-point review confirms there is serious quality behind the relaxed natural-wine presentation.

Food Pairing

Refreshing acidity works beautifully with seafood and citrus, while the lees texture and gentle oak can handle roast poultry or a creamy vegetarian dish.

Try matching this wine with →

• Lemon and herb roast chicken — Find a Recipe
• Vegetarian mushroom risotto — Find a Recipe
• Grilled prawns with citrus — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Open it for a long lunch, a seafood barbecue or a relaxed dinner where the menu is generous but the dress code is not. The swing-top bottle is an instant conversation starter, and the savoury Chardonnay inside keeps the interest going.

Cellaring

Delicious now for its bright citrus and stone-fruit energy, with a Winepilot drinking window extending to 2030. Store the bottle somewhere consistently cool and dark if you prefer Chardonnay with softer fruit, more integrated oak and developing savoury complexity.

Producer

Cowpunk is a Fourth Wave Wine label built around small-batch, single-site wines and a hands-off approach. This 2024 Chardonnay was made by Nicholas Crampton from hand-picked fruit grown at an established vineyard south of Margaret River township. The winemaking favours free-run juice, second-use oak, full-solids fermentation and lees contact rather than heavy new-oak flavour. Cowpunk’s no-additions philosophy is matched by distinctive reusable packaging: the wine comes in a swing-top bottle marked “Reuse It” and “Roll It”. It is a playful presentation for a wine with genuine regional character, texture and precision.

Related Wines To Try →

Explore more fresh, textural Chardonnay, including two no-added-preservative options and a cool-climate organic style.

• Bright, creamy and no added preservative — Paxton NOW Preservative Free Chardonnay
• Citrus-led, preservative-free Chardonnay — Temple Bruer Preservative Free Chardonnay
• Elegant cool-climate organic Chardonnay — See Saw Chardonnay

FAQ

What does Cowpunk Natural Margaret River Chardonnay taste like?

It opens with white florals, lemon citrus and pale stone fruit, followed by lemon-lime, grapefruit and restrained buttery oak. The finish is long and savoury, with refreshing acidity keeping the wine bright and composed.

Is this Chardonnay dry, and what are its body, acidity and tannins like?

It drinks as a dry, medium-bodied Chardonnay with medium-high acidity and very low tannin. The lees and oak give the middle of the palate texture, while citrus freshness prevents it from becoming heavy.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

This is a No Added Preservative wine, while the bottle also carries a “Contains Sulphites” declaration. Small amounts of sulphites can occur naturally during fermentation even when preservatives are not added.

Is Cowpunk Natural Margaret River Chardonnay vegan and natural?

Yes, vegan suitability is printed on the bottle and confirmed by its product credential. Cowpunk presents this as a natural, hands-off Chardonnay made with no added preservative.

What is the best serving temperature and glassware?

Serve it around 9–11°C in a medium-sized white wine or Chardonnay glass. Avoid serving it ice-cold, as a little warmth helps the stone fruit, florals and gentle oak become more expressive.

Should this Chardonnay be decanted?

Decanting is not essential, but a young bottle can benefit from ten to fifteen minutes in the glass. A gentle swirl is usually enough to open its savoury and stone-fruit detail.

What food pairs well with this wine?

Try grilled prawns, roast chicken with lemon and herbs, or a creamy mushroom risotto. It also works well with baked fish, vegetable gratin and soft, nutty cheeses.

Can Cowpunk Natural Margaret River Chardonnay be cellared?

Yes, although it is already drinking well. Winepilot gives it a drinking window from 2026 to 2030, during which its citrus and stone fruit should gradually become softer and more savoury.

How long will it last after opening?

Reseal it with the swing top, refrigerate immediately and enjoy it within one to two days. Its no-added-preservative style is at its best while the fruit remains fresh and lifted.

Who will enjoy this wine most?

It will suit drinkers who like modern Chardonnay with texture and gentle oak rather than a heavily buttery style. If you enjoy citrus-driven Margaret River Chardonnay, minimal-intervention whites or lightly savoury natural wines, this is an excellent match.

(SKU: CP_CHA_CV)