Whole bunch pressing, wild ferment in new French oak have come together in spectacular fashion. This Indigo Chardonnay by Brokenwood was fermented in 30% new French oak and the balance older, from a variety of cooperages. A fine textured palate with bright lime/citrus acidity. Modern Australian Chardonnay at its best.

A classic Beechworth Chardonnay, straw-gold with a green tinge: aromas of hazelnut, yellow peach, and nuances of matchstick mingled with spicy-oak notes of ginger and orange zest; the attack is full of rich, peach and nectarine fruit flavours.

The aspiration of Oakridge LVS -- or Local Vineyard Series -- wines is to be outstanding expressions of single vineyards within the Yarra Valley. Local Vineyard Series wines enable wine lovers to compare and contrast the power of terroir and geography in winemaking. In essence, different grape varieties thrive in different soils, and Yarra Valley terroirs and altitudes vary widely. Oakridges expertise and understanding of the region allows viticulturists and winemakers to match a particular variety with a particular site -- with marvellous results. Almost all LVS wines are cellarworthy. The Willowlake Vineyard is just outside Gladysdale in Victorias Upper Yarra Valley. Planted in 1979 at an elevation 300 metres, the cool-grown Chardonnay here ranks with the regions very best. Add the skills of leading Chardonnay exponent David Bicknell and these hand-picked grapes become wines that express their variety and origin with consummate precision and flair.

This wonderfully elegant Shiraz shows intense, pristine, blackberry fruit and ripe, silky tannins. It almost has a Pinot Noir elegance to it and, luckily, the quality of future vintages will only be getting better too as Voyager's new clones come on line.

Cambria was originally part of the Tepusquet Vineyard. Planted between 1970 and 1971, this ambitious venture helped establish Santa Barbara County as a world-class wine producing region. The Cambria portion of property was purchased in 1986 by Barbara Banke. Today, Cambria is still 100% family owned and the wines are 100% estate-grown. Ripe fruit, floral and spice aromas dominate the nose of the Katherines Vineyard Chardonnay. Grapefruit, pineapple, white peach, citrus blossom, and apple flavors are balanced by a bit of wet stone, subtly oak spice and bright acid.

Hand Picked Gin Gin clone, the balance of fruit, oak, acidity is so immaculate it is a pointless exercise to try to deconstruct their contributions. However the white peach and pink grapefruit flavours are as clear as a bell on the back palate and aftertaste, the finish fresh and clean. Masterful winemaking

DEEP WOODS ESTATE Single Vineyard Chardonnay, Margaret River

Houghton made wine for 101 years before Jack Mann created the iconic, and incredibly influential, White Burgundy in 1937. In 2023, more than 80 years on, Houghton honoured this history with the release of this exquisite old vine chenin blanc from Margaret River. With a foot in the past and an eye on the future, EV/37 represents chenin blanc at its best—vibrant, delicate, layered, textural.