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.

Aromas of red fruits, violet and blackcurrants combine with black truffle and spice notes. Fine tannins add texture, complemented by ripe red berry characters and lovely integrated oak. Awards:

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 grapes for the wines that carry the Mt Difficulty Bannockburn label are subject to two strict criteria: they are managed under the umbrella of the Mt Difficulty viticultural team and must be sourced from vineyards situated on the South side of the Kawarau River at Bannockburn. This Pinot noir displays lovely elegance and flow with striking precision and clarity. On the palate it kicks off with a supple dark berry entry, moving into a beautifully textured plush mid palate, after which fine elegant textural tannins frame fruit and acidity on a lengthy finish.

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.

Small-batch Chardonnay from Marlborough negociants Novum. Stonefruit, cream and mineral on the nose. Flintiness meets fruit on the palate, making for a distinctive medium-bodied wine. An appealingly long finish shows this to be a top tier Chardonnay. Novum use small parcels of fruit from specially selected sites on established Marlborough vineyards to craft the best wines and expressions of terroir possible. Their first vintage arrived in 2016. Novums primary focus is on Syrah, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Finely poised and with stylish French oak nuances, offering attractive notes of rockmelon, fig, vanilla and a touch of struck match flint the palate is enhanced by a sleek and refined mouthfeel leading to a sublime finish.

Rockburn Pinot Noir is a ripe, fleshy pinot noir with black cherry, blackcurrant and toasty oak flavours. Good concentration and a silken texture with powerful sweet fruit flavours driving a lengthy finish.

Brown Brothers Patricia Chardonnay is an elegant style balancing natural acidity with intense fruit flavour. Named in honour of Patricia Brown, the fruit for this exceptional white wine consists of 57% from the Brown Brothers Whitlands vineyard and the balance from Coombe Farm vineyard located in the Yarra Valley. The Yarra Valley experiences cool ripening conditions just like the Whitlands vineyard. The vineyard selection contributes to a tight style with wonderful fig and mealy characters typical of a cool climate Chardonnay.

This aromatic white blend is a fusion of 92% Sauvignon Blanc grapes with 8% Semillon grapes. These fruit parcels were harvested in the cool of the night and then cold pressed. The juice obtained was fermented in stainless steel before bottling. The resulting blend displays a pale green colour. The lifted bouquet exudes fresh aromas of guava, with hints of Semillon grapes evident in the background. The medium-bodied palate initially presents flint dry and racy fruit flavours, balanced by crisp acidity. The finale is excellent and lingering. Made for consumption upon release, this enticing white wine has the potential to be cellared for 2 to 3 years from vintage. Swings & Roundabouts Sauvignon Blanc Semillon goes well with poached salmon, Rottnest King George whiting or goat cheese.

If you want to try the benchmark in this style then look no further than Pierro. A clean and concentrated palate of lemon sherbet and gooseberry with a hint of oak influence. LTC stands for 'little touch of Chardonnay' which adds the right amount of palate weight and complexity.