Jacob's Creek does it again with a Chardonnay with attractive melon and fresh fruit flavours complemented by subtle toasty oak that are all hallmarks of this fresh crisp variety.

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.

John Riddoch is not only a famous name in the region of Coonawarra, but an important figure in the Australian wine industry. His pioneering spirit and love of the region has been translated into this bottle of rich and smooth Coonawarra Merlot. Aromas and flavours of ripe plums, dense blueberry and a fine grain tannin structure to support. A welcome return from a highly regarded wine name that won't disappoint if opened today or cellared for the short to medium term.

One of the very best Chardonnays doing the rounds from McLaren Vale due to its lighter, slightly austere nature. Citrus melon and fruit-salad aromas give this Chapel Hill Chardonnay an attractive lifted bouquet and the palate is flavoursome fresh and lively. Great drinking!

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.

First produced in 1981, this wine benefits from the cool southerly climate and the long ripening season produces a wine with excellent varietal character. Poached pear and stone fruit characters balance the soft natural acidity.

Xanadu Fusion Chardonnay gives an elegant bouquet full of pears, grapefruit and gala apples with underlying hints of nougat and cashew. The palate is medium bodied displaying white fleshed stone fruits and zesty citrus flavours. The wine offers an almost crystalline minerality, complimented by a lovely creamy/marshmallow texture derived from lees stirring whilst in barrel. Taut and fresh, the bright fruit and crisp acidity combine to focus the wine perfectly to a lingering fruit finish.

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

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.

Punters Corner Chardonnay from Padthaway, South Australia, is pale gold in colour with a complex nose of grapefruit, nectarine and apple. On the palate, it shows minerality and racy acidity with a generous and balanced finish.