The chardonnay grape is undeniably Australia\u2019s most important white wine varietal. According to the 2020 Wine Australia report, it\u2019s the second most widely planted grape (after shiraz) and the most widely grown. With 285,000 tonnes crushed, it accounts for some 19% of the total crop in Australia and (at least in my opinion) remains the most noble of white wines (my apologies to the misguided Savvie-philes out there). Once the golden haired child of the Burgundians in France, chardonnay has made its mark around the globe as a style of grace, charm and finesse; not least of all here in Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But as happens with any popular style of wine, there is a chasm between the calibre of the offerings of the various producers. The spectrum of quality when it comes to chardonnay is arguably wider than with any other varietal. From the mass-produced grapes of the Riverina bound for goon bags tucked inside cardboard boxes, to the highly sought-after collectibles like Giaconda or Yattarna, there\u2019s a dichotomy of both class and price which creates a minefield for the inexpert consumer. So, it begs the question, which are Australia\u2019s best value chardonnays?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Plato famously said, opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance – and so it is with wine. My views are just that, but at the risk of copping a gobful, I\u2019m going to share my perspective on what is undoubtedly a touchy subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firstly, it\u2019s fair to say that price alone doesn\u2019t define the quality of the bottle. We\u2019ve all had cheap bottles that have exceeded expectations \u2013 and vice versa. Secondly, marketing and branding can help wineries to extort higher prices, but it doesn\u2019t change what\u2019s inside the bottle. Thirdly, high profile or well-established regions may have a reputation for particular varietals, but that doesn\u2019t mean that there can\u2019t be pockets of exceptional quality fruit in the lesser known districts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, my verdict?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the top end, it\u2019s impossible to go past Rick Kinzbrunner\u2019s Giaconda Estate Chardonnay<\/a>. I started collecting this stuff 15 years ago. These days, if you can get it, you\u2019ll pay over $150 a bottle. It\u2019s clearly the domestic market leader. At the pointy end, you\u2019ll also find the Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay<\/a> from the Margaret River which sells at a similar price point and the 2017 edition was named James Halliday\u2019s best chardonnay in 2021. Other contenders include the Pierro <\/a>or Cullen <\/a>chardies from the Margaret River region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the mid-range it\u2019s a cluttered space. If you can find it, the Canobolas~Smith Estate Chardonnay<\/a> from the Orange region is a standout \u2013 though you\u2019ll pay upwards of $80 a bottle. If the Adelaide Hills tickles your fancy, then the Bird in Hand Nest Egg Chardonnay<\/a> is probably in your wheelhouse, though at a similar ask of $75. The price point is understandable, however, given that the wine spends good time in oak, and 40% of the barriques used are expensive new French Oak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the more affordable end of the spectrum are wines like the Petaluma White Label Chardonnay<\/a> ($28) or the 2021 Taylors Estate Chardonnay<\/a> which is only about $15 a bottle and now sports refreshed labelling. It punches above its price point with all the hallmarks of a more expensive wine \u2013 nice nutty characters overlayed on rivers of peach, honeydew and even ripe nectarines. Maybe it\u2019s the Padthaway fruit that does the trick?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another of the contenders for the title is the 2019\u00a0Lenton Brae Southside Chardonnay<\/a>. \u00a0You\u2019ll buy it at the majors for no more than $25 a bottle and this creation by winemaker Edward Tomlinson is undeniably under-priced. The fruit hails from the vineyards in Wilyabrup in the Margaret River region of Western Australia and exudes fleshy white stone fruit across the palate, laced with lemon zest and a crisp grapefruit edge.\u00a0 The French oak influence is subtle, though it\u2019s creamy texture is irresistible! \u00a0Is it the best value on the market? Maybe, or maybe not. But one thing is certain \u2013 you\u2019d rather have six bottles of this than a single bottle of the Penfolds Yattarna!<\/p>\n\n\n\n – As published on The Cairns Post<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The chardonnay grape is undeniably Australia\u2019s most important white wine varietal. According to the 2020 Wine Australia report, it\u2019s the second most widely planted grape (after shiraz) and the most widely grown. With 285,000 tonnes crushed, it accounts for some 19% of the total crop in Australia and (at least in my opinion) remains the…
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