PIERRE YVES COLIN MOREY Les Champlots Premier Cru, St-Aubin

DOMAINE LUCIEN LE MOINE 1er Cru Montmains, Chablis Lucien Le Moine is a unique négocianthaute couture is often how they are described. Husband and wife, Mounir and Rotem Saouma source small parcels of wine from many producers. Their contribution to the wine is in the elevage, esoteric regime which changes each vintage relying on Mounirs sensory talents forged in a Trappist monastery in Lebanon and honed in their vaulted cellars in the Cote dOr. Working with the best (Jupilles, FRA), fine-grained new oak, the Saoumas produce a staggering number of Grands and 1er Crus cuvees.

Yarra Yering, well known for their pristine and elegant red wines, also make one of the Yarra Valley's premier Chardonnays. Made solely from the original 1969 plantings, the Yarra Yering Chardonnay is fermented traditionally in open top fermenters and crafted to age in bottle for extended periods. The wine goes through 100% malolactic fermentation which adds complexity and roundness without foregoing natural acidity and structure. Aged in 40% new French oak, this classic white wine combines intense opulence with finesse & textural flintiness.

With the oldest records dating back to 1220, it took until 1872 for Bouchard to finally acquire all of the parcels of this 3.36ha Beaune monopole. Depending on the vintage not all the fruit is totally destemmed and the wine is matured in French oak for 12 months with 30-40% new wood. Always well priced and approachable in its youth it will also reward 5-10 years cellaring.

DOMAINE MOREAU-NAUDET Pargues Vieille Vignes, Chablis

HIRSCH VINEYARDS Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast Hirsch Chardonnay was envisioned to create a transparent expression of their unique vineyard site, striving to bring the acidity and minerality of the site forward, with fruit and oak playing a secondary role. David Hirsch, enamoured with Barolo, had the crazy idea to plant Nebbiolo. Friend, and Williams Selyem Founding Winemaker Burt Williams, told David he should try Chardonnay instead. Thus the old Chardonnay vineyard was born. Together these tiny plantings comprise the Estate Chardonnay: complex aromatics with a generous mouthfeel and refreshing minerality.

Is this Australia's best Chardonnay? If not then it shares the rarified air reserved for only the finest examples. Rich yet restrained, with mineral notes, cashew and almond meal, amazing fruit complexity and wonderful length...why not try the benchmark?