Clear, brightly straw-coloured with flecks of green in the glass, there is a complex nose with scents of citrus fruits and chalky minerals. The palate is fresh and lively, bounding up with fine minerality and well balanced acid.

What a magnificent wine! A pioneer in the modern Australian Chardonnay stakes, the Vat 47 from the Hunter Valley has a silky bouquet of melon stone fruit and creamy oak that is followed by a palate of extraordinary balance and length. An absolute classic and will only get better with some medium term ageing.

The Elephant in the Room wines are proudly large in scale and expansive in flavour. Ignoring fashion and braving the scorn “wine thought police” Elephant in the Room was created to give consumers exactly what they want – full bodied and mouth-filling wines that deliver maximum pleasure. Each wine is sourced from slow-ripening cool climate vineyards in the Limestone Coast of South Australia and partially matured in French Oak before final blending and bottling by Corey Ryan.

Isabel Estate Chardonnay exudes bright, ripe fruit such as grapefruit and lemon with upfront acidity. Complex aromas of sweet nuttiness, ripe figs and a touch of melon follow closely by with delicious nougat and caramel. Finish is creamy and lingering. Not one to miss.

Hungerford Hill Chardonnay displays citrus aromas with nuances of nectarine, seasoned spicy oak and minerality on the nose. There is complex layers on the palate compose of great length of acidity balanced by nutty French oak flavours and lees characters.

This Paul Mas Chardonnay has plenty going for it! Nectarine, melon and minerally aromas are followed by a long, textured palate with stonefruit flavours and fresh acidity. Great value.

Main Divide is named after the local name for Southern Alps that divide New Zealand's south island in two. Their 2008 Chardonnay is made using traditional Burgundian methods and has resulted in a wine of great complexity. Aromas and flavours of zesty citrus, with palate covering peach and a hint of fresh toast.

Devil's Corner Chardonnay shows some up-front ripe stone fruit, citrus characters and hint of subtle spiciness. It shows excellent flavour intensity with great persistence and a refreshing finish.

Frogmore Creek is a superb cool-climate Chardonnay from Tasmania that shows stonefruit and citrus varietal aromas which are enhanced by quality oak. The palate is beautifully structured with tight natural acidity. A very complex and subtle style.

Pale straw in colour with aromas of ripe peach, nectarine and citrus. The palate is fresh and medium-bodied, showing stone fruit, lemon zest and subtle creamy oak. Bright acidity keeps it lively, finishing clean and balanced with lingering fruit notes.