“Australia’s love affair with chardonnay shows no sign of abating. It is now our most popular single grape variety.

There is no doubt that chardonnay’s these days are far more approachable and drinkable than the heavy-handed and heavily oaked predecessors, made when we were just starting out on our journey with chardonnay back in the 70s and 80s. Contemporary wines show better expression of fruit, largely due to less winemaking intervention and more careful use of oak and other influences such as malolactic fermentation.

When you do tastings like this, it is always amazing and reassuring that we can still get quality chardonnay at an affordable price. The four wine from Margaret River show that, even from the great chardonnay region, you don’t have to spend a bomb to get a first-rate wine.

The two wines for the Adelaide Hills show the considerable virtues of this great region for chardonnay. And yes, the Ponting Chardonnay is from the great Aussie Test batsman Ricky Ponting who decided to change his willow for oak with a new range of wines.

There is plenty to like here.“

– Ray Jordan

On The Vine Volume Ten Tasting Notes

EVANS & TATE | REDBROOK ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2020 | 94/100
Another outstanding chardonnay from the ‘20 vintage. Shows more obvious upfront fruit than the Reserve, yet remains high-class, sophisticated stuff. The crunchy vibrant fruit reveals a little struck-match edginess with a typical ripe stone fruit character. The palate is tightened by the oak and a slightly lemony lick, with a
final touch of sea spray.

HAY SHED HILL | VINEYARD SERIES CHARDONNAY 2023 | 92/100
A bright and fragrant chardonnay sourced from mature vines on the estate. After wild fermentation, it saw 11 months in oak. The result is a delightful light-bodied but well flavoured wine of subtlety and precision. Aromas of melon and lightly roasted cashew with a gentle lemon lift. The palate extends with a slightly savoury minerality, through to a long finish.

HOWARD PARK | MIAMUP CHARDONNAY 2024 | 92/100
A consistent and impressive chardonnay from the Miamup vineyard in Margaret River. Light notes of cashew and grapefruit with a little mealy cereal character adding complexity. It’s balanced and precise with a long finish. A pretty impressive follow-up to the excellent ’23.

PONTING | TOP ORDER ADELAIDE HILLS CHARDONNAY 2023 | 93/100
Yep, you got it right. This is Ricky Ponting’s entry into the wine caper and it’s made by Ben Riggs from Adelaide Hills fruit. It’s a complex mix of meal and citrus, with a cashew creaminess that builds mid-palate depth. A little lemon curd and brioche add the final flourish to the palate.

BROOKLAND VALLEY | DISCOVERY CHARDONNAY 2023 | 90/100 
This is a generously flavoured chardonnay, but one with a tight restraint which focuses the palate through to a long linear finish. Creamy mid-palate with a squeeze of lemon and just a faint suggestion of oak. A great wine at this price.

CHALK HILL | ADELAIDE HILLS CHARDONNAY 2023 | 90/100
A lighter style of chardonnay from the Adelaide Hills. The fruit is delicate yet flavoursome, the oak is just quietly sitting in the background and the balance is neat and tidy. It’s a wine for current drinking with the combination of apple and citrus with a fine lingering acidity creating a refreshing and enjoyable drink.

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