Brokenwood continue to push the boundaries with their Chardonnay - this release sees the majority of fruit sourced from the exciting Beechworth region and winemaking inputs emphasise complexity.

Sourced from dry-grown, hand tended vines in the north east of Victoria, this Beechworth Chardonnay from Savaterre will surely convince even the most hardened Chardonnay critic that modern Australian Chardonnay is of supreme world-class standard. Keppell Smith handcrafts a Chardonnay of utmost power and concentration that produces a length of flavour that borders on the immortal.

Chris Catlow of Sentio Wines has great skill in making Chardonnay, having spent five vintages with Benjamin Leroux in Burgundy and seven on the Mornington Peninsula. Sourced from a selection of premium Beechworth vineyards Chris allows the fruit to express itself without overbearing winemaking. Stone fruit, citrus, spice, minerality with a touch of honeysuckle. All the intensity one expects from Beechworth Chardonnay with great precision and purity.

Occasionally, when rare parcels of particularly outstanding Beechworth grapes become available, Savaterre's wine maker Keppell Smith likes to create something unique, like this Chardonnay, and bottle it under Savaterre's Frere Cadet (Younger Brother) label. These wines are created with the same attention to detail that goes into their premium Savaterre label.

Golden hue with a bright green rim. A complex signature of reductive characters; meal, the 'good dirt' and matchstick complimenting hazelnut and peach notes infused with lemon zest and ginger. The palate is taut and compact with a strong mineral edge drawing out white peach fruit. A powerful and assertive example of Chardonnay that combines multifaceted flavours with latent power. The finish is compelling: minerality and acidity combine to a rapier-sharp finish.

Whole bunch pressing, wild ferment in new French oak have come together in spectacular fashion. This Indigo Chardonnay by Brokenwood was fermented in 30% new French oak and the balance older, from a variety of cooperages. A fine textured palate with bright lime/citrus acidity. Modern Australian Chardonnay at its best.

Chris Catlow of Sentio Wines has great skill in making Chardonnay, having spent five vintages with Benjamin Leroux in Burgundy and seven on the Mornington Peninsula. Sourced from the famed Stuart Smith vineyard, Chris allows the fruit to express itself without overbearing winemaking. Stone fruit, honeysuckle, white flowers and a touch of spice. All the intensity one expects from Beechworth Chardonnay with great precision and purity.

Mark Walpole (who began his viticultural career with Brown Brothers in the late 1980s) and partner Carolyn De Poi found their elevated north-facing site south of Beechworth in 1995. They commenced planting the Aquila Audax Vineyard in 97 with cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir, subsequently expanding with significant areas of sangiovese, tempranillo, shiraz, petit manseng and chardonnay. In 2009 they were fortunate to lease the oldest vineyard in the region, planted by the Smith family in 1978 to chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon.