Be Bold. Be Brave. Be Courageous. That’s the motto of Kings’ Creed in South Australia’s beautiful Adelaide Hills district. Their aim is to “craft small batch wines of quality with bold character.” The wines are made by the legendary Ben Riggs, so that’s a creed that will be easy to live up to. Their gorgeous Chardonnay certainly shows lots of lavish fruit on a cool, crisp palate. Medium-weight in structure, you’ll find refreshing apple, stone fruit and citrus flavours. The fruit was whole bunch pressed and fermented in old French oak barrels. Left on lees for six months. Perfect for lunch with poached chicken and a Waldorf salad.

Fruit for the 2022 Tilbury was sourced from the Lenswood Vineyard (80%) with the balance coming from the usual Piccadilly and Lobethal growers that have previously contributed to this wine. The style of the fruit from the Lenswood site is more open and generous, providing a beautiful contrast to the linear and tight nature of the Piccadilly and Lobethal material. Its fruit is from own-rooted I10v1 clone vines planted in 1989 and Bernard 76 and 95 clones planted in the early 2000s. The Lobethal site is close to 500m of elevation and has soils that are loaded with ironstone, contributing fruit with a classic flinty expression and powerful drive. The Piccadilly soils are varied, with sandstone, sandy loam and ironstone. The fruit was hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed into French puncheons, barriques and some Stockinger vessels for fermentation (about 40% new wood this year). The wine went through full malo and had some light lees stirring over eight months maturation.

Honeydew and brown lime flavours intertwine with a smooth and creamy mid palate. Fine natural acidity give great length and balances the textural oak characters.

Bright, fresh, end effortlessly elegant, this Méthode Traditionelle Blanc de Blancs is a pure expression of our Chardonnay fruit. Crafted in the traditional method and spending 14 months on lees, it showcases a fine, persistent bead that carries vibrant aromas of candied lemon and zesty sherbet. The palate is silky yet energetic, with a beautifully balanced acidity that lifts the citrus driven profile. A touch of lemon curd lingers on the finish, adding a delicate touch of richness that perfectly compliments the wine's crisp, youthful vibrancy.

The S&G range is the pinnacle of Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard's craftsmanship. This wine captures the quiet confidence and layered complexity of our Lenswood site. Made from 100% whole bunch pressed fruit, it delivers pristine purity with lifted notes of citrus, nectarine, white peach and nashi pear. Subtle nougat and lees derived richness add depth, while ageing in 1 yr old French oak brings gentle toast and texture without overshadowing the fruit. This Chardonnay is beautifully restrained, an elegant, introverted wine that rewards patience, revealing more nuance with every sip. A true expression of Lenswood, it speaks softly but leaves a lasting impression.

The Aspire Chardonnay is a stunning example of Lenswood at its most expressive, handpicked from the warmest, driest section at the top of the hill to capture maximum ripeness and intensity. It opens with delicate stone fruit and citrus aromas, layered with a hint of crunchy green apple for freshness. On the palate, it's all about elegance and complexity while 60% malolactic fermentation lends a soft, creamy texture that wraps around the vibrant fruit. Pristine, poised and beautifully balanced, this is a luxurious Chardonnay that speaks to the very best of the Adelaide Hills.

Bright and elegant, this wine brims with pure aromas of lemon, camomile and white peach, layered with pistachio and a subtle flinty edge. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with juicy white peach, zesty grapefruit and mouth-watering acidity. Perfectly cellared for immediate enjoyment, it’s crisp, multi-layered and drinking beautifully right now.

Tasting Notes White Gold with green highlights and aromas of stone fruit and fresh white flowers. This Chardonnay has flavours of stone fruit and nectarine to complement the natural freshness of its acidity, supporting the texture, balance and mouthfeel of the palate. Analysis Alcohol: 12.8%

Refresh yourself with this very attractive 93pt Adelaide Hills Chardonnay from the dynamic team at Zonte’s Footstep. “It's splendidly fruited with complexity, showing ripe peach, rockmelon, roasted hazelnut, and brioche characters. The palate is equally appealing with succulent fruit flavours with a creamy mouthfeel, beautifully structured by bright acidity, offering excellent drinking.” 93pts (Wine Orbit)