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The 2021 Yarra Valley Chardonnay opens with aromas of nectarine and hazelnut. Its palate reveals layers of citrus and stone fruit, accented by subtle notes of vanilla and clove. Well-integrated oak provides structure, leading to a creamy finish with hints of toasted brioche and a touch of minerality.

This is our first bottling from the bizarre 2020 vintage, which went from ridiculous to sublime. We had very small crops, early tannin ripeness and picked at low baumé. We avoided disease pressure in a very difficult year for that, and ended up with more transparency and freshness in the fruit than 2019. This year we were back to a 50:50 mix of skins and whole-bunch ferments. The skins ferment was 72 hours, with light hand-plunging every 12 hours during that time. The wine was pressed at 8 baumé to old puncheons. The whole-bunch ferment was on skins for 14 days, with carbonic maceration until some light pigeage on days 12 and 13. It was pressed to old puncheons to finish ferment. Both batches had two months in oak unsulphured. The wine was racked in early May, with minimal filtration and no finings. 40ppm of SO2 was added prior to bottling. This vintage we focused on prettiness with supporting notes of funk and bunch. There was no shortage of flavour about; itâs an intense year for that but also characterised by high natural acidity â perfect for skinsy styles, which can otherwise become a bit soapy. And of course Iâm very pleased with the colour, a perfect match for the new label⦠- Tim Shand, Punt Road

Toolangi is a state forest just outside Healesville that was devastated during Black Saturday. The excellent vineyards remain, and continue to produce wines of personality and place. The Chardonnay combines varietal characters of quince and crab apple with some delicious nutty oak nuances. Its great value.

Sourced from a single vineyard site in the Strathbogie Ranges, ideally suited to growing aromatic and balanced Pinot Gris. The cool nights here allow the fruit to reach optimum ripeness whilst retaining an elegant balance between flavour, alcohol and acidity. This wine by Pacha Mama underwent lees stirring while in barrel, resulting in a buttery richness and complexity that sets the pinot gris style apart from the tighter, more acidic Pinot Grigio. Rich and inviting nose with white musk, fresh quince and honeysuckle. A generous and textural palate, with flavours of crýme brulee, lemon zest and musk, balanced by refreshing acidity and a satisfying, clean finish.

Coldstream Hills has been consistently producing excellent Yarra Valley Chardonnay for years and if anything it keeps getting better. Stone fruit and grapefruit characters are supported by creamy nutty oak.

Easily affordable quality, the Paringa Chardonnay is made from high quality fruit from across the Morning Peninsula. An awesome balance of toasty oak and rich stone fruit flavours with real length and depth. One of the best mid $20 Chardonnays available and proof of Lindsay McCall's true talent.

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.

Picked from a block of gris on the Napoleone Vineyard in the Yarra Valley which is nurtured to hang a touch longer, with better tannin maturity than the fruit picked for the Punt Road Pinot Gris. Whole berry and whole bunch ferments are conducted in isolation in one-tonne open pots. They were pressed separately to oak this year, but in the end both went in their entirety into the blend. The bunch ferments developed a very significant funk this year, and it was good to see this in the finished wine. The berry ferments supply musk flavour and fruit sweetness. Its all about the bunch though: Campari, aniseed and kombucha. Unfined and minimally filtered. The perfect companion in Spring or Summer.