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.

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.

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 Chardonnay has a distinctive nose that leaps from the glass and displays a lovely tropical fruit aroma. The wine has a rich creamy finish while being silky smooth and easy to drink.

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.

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.

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.

Located in the picturesque North Island of New Zealand, Te Mata produces a Chardonnay that has ripe stonefruit and citrus characters along with a rich and textural mouthfeel. Fermented in seasoned oak barrels to produce a creamy, rich and elegant wine.

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.