Taylors Chardonnay's toasty nutty flavours of the oak perfectly complement the rich melon peach varietal characters of the grape in this soft full-flavoured Chardonnay.

This is a newer world style of Chardonnay showing the elegance of fresh cool climate. Once harvested, the fruit was whole bunch pressed with the un-clarified juice that was fermented with inoculated yeast in seasoned French Oak Barriques. The wine by Paringa Estate was barrel stirred fortnightly during the eleven months of maturation and was sulphured early to retain fruit freshness & prevent malolactic fermentation. The bouquet of this wine is a mix nectarine, citrus/orange and complex sulphide solids aromas. The palate has similar fresh citrus & nectarine fruit flavours along with fine acidity. Chardonnay fruit combined with the complexity of barrel fermentation & maturation.

This is the first release of this wine from a vineyard in the southern part of Coonawarra's Terra Rossa. It is an impressive first-up release showing the benefit of the mild to warm, dry harvest period and lower yields, creating ideal conditions for Coonawarra Chardonnay. The quality of the fruit after handpicking has allowed whole bunch pressing, barrel ageing, and malolactic fermentation all of which result in a light-bodied but textured creamy wine with a fine distinct acid line and real palate brightness and energy. Yes, Coonawarra can make excellent whites. Date tasted: April 2025. Drink: 2025-2033. Price: $45. Rating: 93/100

Annie's Lane from South Australia's Clare Valley produce a Chardonnay that has toasty nutty oak flavours that perfectly complement the rich melon, baked fig varietal characters of the grape in this soft, full-flavoured Chardonnay.

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.

Chardonnay sourced from Victorias cool climate King Valley goes into Nugan's Estate Chardonnay. Pale straw in appearance, with a youthful green hue. Aromas of peach, nectarine, poached peach and mixed spice, a rich mout filling palate of stone fruit, biscuit and yeast notes with a crisp acidity make this a good drink.

Krondorf is a Barossa wine name that is steeped in history and tradition. Beginning with the establishment of the Glenview winery back in 1850s, the Krondorf name was re-born by Grant Burge back in 1978 and today is one of the most successful wineries on the wine show circuit winning countless trophies and gold medals in the past 10 years. This Chardonnay is a bright straw colour with hints of golden yellow, while on the nose aromas of melon and citrus typical of the varietal are present. The long and persistent palate is wonderfully textured and a great match for some smoked trout.

Consistency has been the hallmark of Majella Shiraz for some time now. Ripe fresh raspberry and mulberry fruit is supported by fine tannins and subtle oak.

Another multi regional wine from Peppertree, the Chardonnay is a blend of Hunter Valley 50%, Wrattonbully 35% and Orange 15%. The three regions make up a wine that shows lifted aromas of white peach and pineapple, a generously fruit driven palate packed with ripe fruits balanced well by subtle barrel ferment complexity, providing a long refined finish.

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.