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.

Under the winemaking direction of Michael Brajkovich, MW, the village label is the first tier in the Kumeu River portfolio. From vineyards around the Kumeu area, it is a wild yeast ferment Chardonnay with 100% whole bunch pressing and malo. One third is barrel fermented and the whole package seeks to highlight the white peach and flintiness that makes the area famous.

Petaluma use their impressive vineyard holding in the Adelaide Hills to produce a Chardonnay that shows poise and precision. Sourced from vineyards in Lenswood and Balhannah and then fermented in a combination of one and two year old French oak as well as stainless steel. Lees sturring helps add complexity and texture while the cool-climate fruit adds minerality and freshness.

Vasse Felix is on the cutting edge of modern style Chardonnay with their focus on lean, zippy and aromatic characters. A proven medal and trophy winning wine, the Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay has delicious stone fruit and purity of acid and minerality. Has wonderful line and length that will accompany light seafood dishes wonderfully.

Devil's Lair is one of Margaret River's most respected wineries. This superbly structured Chardonnay displays lingering flavours influenced by top quality French oak; a beautiful textured mouth feel and tight acidity.

In the glass: Fine straw with a faint hint of green.On the nose: A super-ripe mix of nectarine, melon and fig with fine oak spice. On the palate: A very smartly made expression of Chardonnay thats super-ripe, fresh and crisp throughout with velvety soft texture and deluxe oak harmony.

Penfolds Maxs Chardonnay is a tribute to former Chief Winemaker Max Schubert, a legend in Penfolds history. Pale straw in colour with green hues, this wine has a very nice textural and creamy palate with a soft line of acid fading ever so slowly to a distant palate horizon.

Sourced and grown in the Adelaide Hills, this is a fine example of how good Chardonnay from this region can be. This is a blend of 3 different cultivars of the Chardonnay grape. Bunch pressed and in part wild fermented. Partial malolactic fermentation imparts further complexity. A beautifully textured and complex wine.

The Audrey Wilkinson Chardonnay shows layered peach, melon and citrus fruit flavours on the palate, both plush and textured, waves of exotic fruit are framed by a fine line of acid.

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.

One of the best value Margaret River Chardonnays out there. Michael Kerrigan is doing an amazing job producing Chardonnays of elegance. Hay Shed Hill has delicate grapefruit and stone fruit flavours on the palate. And these flavours are matched with fine, minerally acidity with suble oak towards the finish.