A complex array of melon fig and cashew aromas is followed by a typically elegant and subtle palate with beautifully integrated oak. Petaluma had set a benchmark in Australian Chardonnay.

Pale, straw colour with insinuations of green. Overt, ripe varietal fruit characters on the nose - pineapple, citrus and nectarine derived are from the warm vintage conditions. Mineral characters, orange blossom and almond meal along with some lees derived creaminess are all balanced within this multi-dimensional palate.

Deep Woods Estate Reserve Chardonnay gives aromas of fresh stone fruit and citrus blossom combining with warm straw, cedar spice and chipped oyster shell. The Palate displays pure and elegant stone fruit, lime zest and jasmine. A fine acid backbone combines with lees-derived texture to produce a wine of depth, and complexity with an underlying minerality.

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.

Defaix's Chablis comes from a range of parcels with different vine age and aspects. Aged on fine lees in glass-lined tanks, this is a textural, and uplifting Chablis rich in oyster shell and citrus notes and driving freshness on the finish.

Beginning with mineral grapefruit and flinty notes on the nose, this wine opens up superbly on the palate. Long, deep and subtle in flavour with crisp acid which completes a fine example of the style.

Lark Hill's Chardonnay is a classic cool-climate Chardonnay that displays the trademark white peach, melon and fig characters. Balanced with some lovely fruit weight is the acid length that is present in all of Lark Hill's wines. Using wild ferments and 10 months on lees in barrel, this Chardonnay joins the throng of great

A lovely and unusual Sauvignon Blanc from Hawkes Bay. It is barrel-fermented with a touch of Semillon and Sauvignon Gris. This wine has aromas of citrus blossom, pear and stone fruit and will evolve in the bottle for five years from harvest.

From the spiritual home of Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre, in France's Loire Valley comes this brilliantly expressive aromatic white from Domaine Des Grosses Pierres. Great floral notes on the nose with a nicely balanced palate of minerals, quartz and lingering ripe citrus fruits. This subtle Sauv Blanc is perfect for light meals and delicate Asian cuisine.