Standout chardonnay

From lean and racy to bold and buttery, Australian chardonnay styles are as varied as they come. Find a new favourite here.

2021 FRASER GALLOP ESTATE PALLADIAN WILYABRUP CHARDONNAY Margaret River, WA

Serious and stately. A wine that commands respect, yet it is a wonderful drink. It’s complex and detailed with excellent fruit at its heart, a pulse of refreshing acidity, fabulous smoky oak and hints of funky sulphides rendering this savoury. It lingers long. It’s persuasive. Classy with a capital C. JF 12.5% alc.

RRP $140 / Drink 2031 / Fraser Gallop Estate ★★★★★ frasergallopestate.com.au

2022 MEDHURST ESTATE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY

Yarra Valley, VIC

Another impeccable Medhurst chardonnay. Bright green gold. This is singing with aromas of perfectly ripened white nectarine, peach, pink grapefruit and a little lightly grilled cashew. Equally pure fruited on the gently textured palate, which also has a fine vein of acidity coursing through. A truly lovely wine. PR 13% alc. RRP $50 / Drink 2027 / Medhurst ★★★★★ medhurstwines.com.au

OCEAN EIGHT VINEYARD & WINERY AYLWARD BY OCEAN EIGHT CHARDONNAY

Mornington Peninsula, VIC

It’s been a while between drinks with Ocean Eight, so it’s very pleasing to have than this bang-on chardy to hand. It’s layered, detailed and super refined with grapefruit, white peach, dried figs and ginger spice. The palate expands with cashew-like lees flavour while lemon sorbet acidity just reins everything into submission. JF 13.5% alc.

RRP $80 / Drink 2030 / Ocean Eight Vineyard & Winery ★★★★★ oceaneight.com.au

2022 ARAVINA ESTATE

WILDWOOD RIDGE RESERVE CHARDONNAY Margaret River, WA

It stays in a savoury zone, although bursts of citrus and white nectarine pop out from time to time. Toasty oak leaves a thumbprint, but it’s thankfully not dominating. Refreshing, zesty and tangy, a slip of phenolics all add to the enjoyment. JF 12.3% alc.

RRP $55 / Drink 2030 / Aravina Estate ★★★★★ aravinaestate.com

2021 KARRAWATTA ANTH’S GARDEN GRAND VIN CHARDONNAY Adelaide Hills, SA

More sturm of phenolics and drang of salty freshness than most.

The waft of apricot pith, peach and quince is secondary to the texture. A peaty, lees-derived core. The oak nestled beautifully, yet assertive, galvanising the fruit. A plume of acidity tows impressive length. Far from the chardonnay 101 handbook. All the better for it. NG 12.5% alc. RRP $92 / Drink 2031 / Karrawatta ★★★★★ karrawatta.com.au

2021 MITCHELTON CHARDONNAY

Nagambie Lakes, VIC

Bountiful in white stone fruit, grapefruit, lemon zest, toasted almond and spice. A softly textured mid-palate with an attractive biscuity oak influence. Taut and lively. JP 13.5% alc.

RRP $28 / Drink 2025 / Mitchelton ★★★★★ mitchelton.com.au