Corymbia Rocket’s Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2023

Rob Mann has drawn from inspiration within his family and their Swan Valley roots, plus some obvious affection for Spanish red wine from tempranillo, to craft two truly remarkable wines from the Swan Valley. Sourced from the vineyard previously owned by his father, Tony, there's a tempranillo-driven red blend of considerable perfume and savoury nature, plus a white that has evolved into a 100% chenin blanc, identifiably homage to Rob's grandfather and winemaking legend of Western Australia, Jack Mann, whose enduring invention, Houghton's White Burgundy, was initially based around Swan Valley plantings of this grape. There's pleasing depth of fruit and perfume about this wine, along with a creaminess, brightness and refreshing finish that is perhaps more European than Australian in style. Rob and Genevieve Mann have also purchased a site in Margaret River close to the rocky shores of the Indian Ocean from which they harvest and create their Cabernet Sauvignon. In a Margaret River context this is a wine of rare elegance and fineness. It's only been made for a year or two, so it doesn't yet have a cellaring record. I'm not in the least bothered by this, and expect it to become a regional classic, if indeed one of its own individual style.