The Yarra Valley is one of the heavyweight regions for Australian Chardonnay, with finesse and length of flavour the hallmarks of the regional style. In the glass: Pale lemon green. On the nose: Apple, grapefruit, oatmeal and almond aromas. On the palate: Fine, elegant and poised yet with power and drive and a delicious core of white and yellow fruits. A savoury, almost salty layer adds complexity, velvety texture and racy acidity.

2024 2024 Grand Central Coonawarra Chardonnay Instantly appealing with lifted butter and marmalade characters over a core of peach and apple primary fruit. The palate is rich with strong peach and nectarine primary fruit accompanied by creamy butter and cashews, with a crisp acidity and lingering finish.

Devil's Corner Chardonnay shows some up-front ripe stone fruit, citrus characters and hint of subtle spiciness. It shows excellent flavour intensity with great persistence and a refreshing finish.

RedHeads aren't shy of creating a stir, all in the name of top winemaking. And Harmonie Chardie really rocks! Since starting off in 2002, Redheads have blazed a trail to become one of Australia’s leading sustainable cellars – masters of small-batch, eco-friendly winemaking. They've won 8 trophies and over 200 Golds for their wines, including two for the debut release of Harmonie Rox. All the grapes come from grower Jack Bursten’s unique Coonawarra vineyard. It was originally planted by the late, great Wayne Stehbans – twice winner of Australia’s most prestigious wine Trophy, the Jimmy Watson. So he knew a thing or two about growing top grapes! And it really shows in the wine. Fermented in part new French oak, it's creamy, spiced and fruity.

Vasse Felix is on the cutting edge of modern style Chardonnay with their focus on lean, zippy and aromatic characters. A proven medal and trophy winning wine, the Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay has delicious stone fruit and purity of acid and minerality. Has wonderful line and length that will accompany light seafood dishes wonderfully.

Yabby Lake's second label is most impressive; Chardonnay in the modern style - less oak and better acid structure. Textured and classy with matchbox flint, grapefruit and an extremely classy precision.

Church Road are the custodians of a rich and long history in the northern New Zealand region of Hawke's Bay. Having undergone some serious rejuvenation in recent years, Church Road are producing some simply outstanding wines including this moreish Chardonnay. The perfect balance between that textured 'old school' style and some contemporary elegance and finesse, this white is packed full of great mineral acidity and a superb length of flavour.

One of the best value Margaret River Chardonnays out there. Michael Kerrigan is doing an amazing job producing Chardonnays of elegance. Hay Shed Hill has delicate grapefruit and stone fruit flavours on the palate. And these flavours are matched with fine, minerally acidity with suble oak towards the finish.

Under the winemaking direction of Michael Brajkovich, MW, the village label is the first tier in the Kumeu River portfolio. From vineyards around the Kumeu area, it is a wild yeast ferment Chardonnay with 100% whole bunch pressing and malo. One third is barrel fermented and the whole package seeks to highlight the white peach and flintiness that makes the area famous.