Tapanappa 2025 The Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay

 

Great vineyards show their mettle in the most difficult of years. The Tiers Vineyard - one of the first planted in the Adelaide Hills - is in the coolest, wettest location in South Australia and is perfectly suited to chardonnay; with a micro-climate similar to that of Burgundy. It generally produces elegant, subtley shaded wines. Except that 2025 was the warmest, driest and earliest vintage veteran winemaker Brian Croser has seen in his 56-year winemaking career. The result is a wine slightly bigger than normal but still reflective of the vineyard. Think nectarine/white peach notes, barrel ferment, subtle oak and yeasty/lees notes - but still with a vibrant acid finish. With the help of early picking, the vineyard conquered the season. Pair with roast pork and crackling. $110. https://tapanappa.com.au/   

Tapanappa 2025 Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay

Made by veteran wine industry guru Brian Croser from fruit grown in a 40+-years-old vineyard in the Adelaide Hills, this is a chardonnay that neatly straddles power and precision. From a warm, dry year, the grapes were picked earlier than ever before but the fruit miraculously retained high acid levels. The end result is a riper, richer iteration of this wine with intense stone-fruit flavours to the fore, but smart winemaking has resulted in brightness and texture with finishing acid that offers immediate drinking pleasure. Pair this with a roast pork and crackling. Superb! $60. www.tapanappa.com.au       

Taylors 2023 St Andrews Chardonnay

 

The Clare Valley is not where I would immediately look for classy chardonnay, but this one is a very pleasant surprise; delivering a lot of immediate drinking pleasure. It is a very elegant and appealing chardonnay from the upper echelons of the Taylor family's multiple ranges. This is a smooth and sophisticated drop with lots of length and stylish varietal character. Think restrained stone fruit flavours, nutty hints and well-integrated French oak that aids rather than dominating. Along with hints of shortbread and flinty minerality, this is a complete package. Match with roast chicken or a leafy goat cheese salad. $45. https://www.taylorswines.com.au/ 

Standard price

Curly Flat 2023 Chardonnay

 

I am a huge fan of the wines made by Curtly Flat at Lancefield  in the Macedon Ranges - always composed and  excellent value. This is a very stylish cool-climate chardonnay from Jen Kolka and her team with classic citrus on the nose and peach, apricot and mandarin flavours along with a salty tang, minerality and lightly nutty oak notes. One for lovers of White Burgundy who prefer to buy Australian. Think length, impressive purity and depth of flavour and consider pairing with a roast chicken and sage stuffing. I'll give it 94 points. $55. www.curlyflat.com.