Nectarine and white peach, textured mid palate, acid and oak to close.

The Piccadilly Valley welcomed the Croser family back into the Tapanappa Winery with a typical cool weather vintage of exemplary quality. Stone fruit, honeydew and lemon zest, with spicy cedar oak in support. Medium bodied, tangy lemony acidity, almond and spice, firm and flinty finish. Its a wine of structure and coiled up power. Good now, but ideally needs a couple of years in the winerack.

This winery retains its cult status by continually producing wines of poise, class and adhering to strict biodynamic principals. The Bannockburn Chardonnay is at this stage pert and linear, with floral and citrus notes. It will take a little time for this little gem to begin to give up its secrets.

An enticing wine that will awaken your senses from the very first encounter. Leather, boysenberry and sweet spices combine. The supple palate with its transparent flavours of red fruit and earthy textures leads to a finish that is both balanced and intriguing.

Cloudy Bay has produced a Sauvignon Blanc of vibrant intensity. The characteristically uplifting aromas of kaffir lime, lemon zest and nectarine, with the floral notes of orange blossom on the nose; A weighty texture of ripe citrus and stone fruit flavours balanced by a minerally-citrus acid backbone with a finish that is crisp and clean on the palate. The wine has elegant line and length; refined, fleshy yet focused and refreshing.

Yarra Yering, well known for their pristine and elegant red wines, also make one of the Yarra Valley's premier Chardonnays. Made solely from the original 1969 plantings, the Yarra Yering Chardonnay is fermented traditionally in open top fermenters and crafted to age in bottle for extended periods. The wine goes through 100% malolactic fermentation which adds complexity and roundness without foregoing natural acidity and structure. Aged in 40% new French oak, this classic white wine combines intense opulence with finesse & textural flintiness.

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

Dog Point is responsible for some of Marlborough's best Pinot noir. This release has lifted aromas of dark cherries stone fruit and violets. The palate is rich and complex with a supple velvety texture.

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.

The bouquet is an enticing mix of white field flowers, grapefruit, pear essence and brioche. Enriched with layers of nougat and nut-meal, the palate's fine, creamy texture is supported by toasted vanillin oak. A bright citrus and chalky lactic acidity adds restraint and length to finish the wine. 'This latest release from the partnership of Jeff Burch and Burgundian winemaker Pasca Marchand is one of the best. Comes off a high point in the Porongurups, with the fruit being naturally fermented and then given 10 months on yeast lees to gather complexity. Intensely powerful, this is a statement of classic, cooler-climate chardonnay. Has become one of the fi nest releases each year. 97/100' - Weekend West, Perth, 28 Jun 2014, by Ray Jordan.