Domaine Laroche, Les Chanoines Chablis A.C. Michel Laroche is the fifth generation of his family to grow Chardonnay grapes and/or make fine Chardonnay wine in the village where he was born and bred. You could say he has Chablis running in his veins.

Complex and layered with wonderful fruit purity, Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Chardonnay is a finely structured, tightly honed style. The fruit is a hand-picked field blend of different clones. Each parcel is vinified separately and is pressed into tight grain large French oak puncheons for wild yeast fermentation. Eleven months maturation on lees imparts attractive nutty complexity.

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.

In the winery: Lees stirring post fermentation has created a balance between oak, lees and fruit characters. In the glass: Pale lemon, bright and clear.On the nose: Grapefruit, peach, flint and smoked almond. On the palate: Refined with a complex mix of citrus and stonefruit underpinned by well-judged racy acidity. The texture is deep and creamy with long, persistent flavour length.

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.

This Chardonnay has plenty of robust varietal aromas of stone-fruits and melon on the nose, which is well supported with spicy oak. The palate has a soft creamy mouthfeel while maintaining a tight structure that includes well defined fruit flavours of melon, pears and a touch of citrus acidity bound by well integrated French oak.

Appeasing fragrances of nectarine, stonefruit, honey and lemon zest flowing from the nose mellow down to provide undertones of crème Brulee, roast nuts and citrus fruit. The supple palate features crisp and classic Chardonnay fruit elements that are balanced by the fine and refreshing acidity, leading to a lengthy and persistent climax. Grilled shellfish dishes like scallops and lobster, wild mushrooms, white truffles and hazelnut crusted chicken taste excellent with this elegant Chardonnay wine.