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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.

Scotchmans Hills Chardonnay shows all the classical cool-climate melony varietal characters which are are perfectly integrated with light oak and restrained malo-lactic influence. Drinking beautifully now try it with rich seafood dishes.

Paringa Estate is known as one of the finest small producers in Australia. Pinot Noir is the flagship variety, they also make Shiraz and Riesling. The fruit for this Riesling comes off 20 year old vines, and makes wine of intense focus, structure and finesse.

A classic Peninsula Chardonnay with richness and complexity and underlying elegance. Peach and tropical fruit aromas combine well with nutty creamy oak and the palate is full flavoured and long.

Kooyong Clonale Chardonnay has a complex nose with citrus varietal aromas meshed with classy oak. Seamless and creamy on the palate with long, fine cool-climate flavours. Another cracking wine from Sandro Mosele that just oozes quality.

The aspiration of Oakridge LVS -- or Local Vineyard Series -- wines is to be outstanding expressions of single vineyards within the Yarra Valley. Local Vineyard Series wines enable wine lovers to compare and contrast the power of terroir and geography in winemaking. In essence, different grape varieties thrive in different soils, and Yarra Valley terroirs and altitudes vary widely. Oakridges expertise and understanding of the region allows viticulturists and winemakers to match a particular variety with a particular site -- with marvellous results. Almost all LVS wines are cellarworthy. The Willowlake Vineyard is just outside Gladysdale in Victorias Upper Yarra Valley. Planted in 1979 at an elevation 300 metres, the cool-grown Chardonnay here ranks with the regions very best. Add the skills of leading Chardonnay exponent David Bicknell and these hand-picked grapes become wines that express their variety and origin with consummate precision and flair.

Of all the premium white wines we sampled last year; it was the Soumah Hexham Chardonnay that rose to the top. This top class Yarra Valley Chardonnay features the perfect amount of oak and a moreish creaminess. Produced from small single vineyard plantings in the Warramate foothills of the Yarra Valley, Soumah Hexham Chardonnay is brilliant now but patience will be rewarded if cellared up to 5 years if you can keep your hands off it that long. One of the real movers and shakers of the industry in recent times, Soumah is without a doubt one to keep a very close eye on. This is a super complex and extremely alluring example. Produced from small single vineyard plantings in the Warramate foothills of the Yarra Valley, outstanding fruit quality works hand in hand with barrel derived complexities. This complexity around a mid to full bodied core lends its self just perfectly to seafood with the traditional butter sauce accompaniment.

A benchmark chardonnay from master wine-maker Rob Dolan out of the Yarra Valley. Packed full of grapefruit, white peach, cashew & nutmeg aromas brimming from the glass followed by a mineral consistency on the palate with extended length on the finish. Will easily cellar for another 5 years if you can wait that long.