Sourced from dry-grown, hand tended vines in the north east of Victoria, this Beechworth Chardonnay from Savaterre will surely convince even the most hardened Chardonnay critic that modern Australian Chardonnay is of supreme world-class standard. Keppell Smith handcrafts a Chardonnay of utmost power and concentration that produces a length of flavour that borders on the immortal.

The story of Jean-Louis Chavy winery begins with Jean-Louis Chavy himself, who inherited the winery from his father. Jean-Louis was determined to uphold his family's legacy while also pursuing his passion for winemaking and striving to enhance the winery's reputation. Guided by his deep appreciation for the Burgundy region's terroir and microclimate, Jean-Louis embarked on a journey of innovation and meticulous craftsmanship. He embraced sustainable viticulture practices, carefully nurturing the vineyards with a strong commitment to environmental preservation. The winery's vineyards are home to decades-old vines that embody the essence of Puligny-Montrachet. At Jean-Louis Chavy winery, an unwavering dedication to quality is apparent throughout the winemaking process. Grapes are meticulously hand-picked at their peak ripeness and gently pressed to extract only the purest juice. Fermentation takes place in traditional oak barrels, imparting complexity and depth to the wines. The Chavy family believes in patience, allowing the wines to age gracefully in their cellars for several years, allowing the flavors to harmonize and reach their full potential. Renowned for their exceptional Chardonnay wines, particularly the Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru and Grand Cru offerings, Jean-Louis Chavy winery captivates the palate with a harmonious blend of citrus, stone fruit and subtle mineral notes. These wines are known for their longevity and can evolve in complexity over several decades. Jean-Louis employs classic winemaking techniques, including whole bunch pressing and temperature-controlled settling for 24 hours. He exclusively uses natural yeasts for fermentation and has discontinued the practice of battonage for several years. The estate's vineyards boast an impressive average age, with most vineyards aged between 20 and 40 years, while select vineyards in Folatieres and Clavoillons exceed 60 years. The use of new oak is restrained, with the village Puligny wines aged in 15% new oak and Premier Crus in 25%. In recent years, there has been a transition towards aging the wines in 350-liter barrels to minimize the influence of oak. While Jean-Louis does not own any Grand Cru vineyards, his Premier Crus are situated in proximity to some of Puligny's finest vineyards in the heart of the region. The Burgundy wine region in France is internationally renowned for its exceptional wines. Known for its terroir-driven approach, the region produces both red and white wines, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as the predominant grape varieties. The diverse soil types contribute to the distinct characteristics of the wines and the winemaking practices prioritize minimal intervention. Puligny-Montrachet, a renowned wine region in Burgundy, France, is celebrated for its exquisite white wines. Located within the Côte de Beaune subregion, it is one of Burgundy's most esteemed appellations. What distinguishes Puligny-Montrachet is its exclusive focus on Chardonnay, which thrives in the region's limestone and clay-rich soils. The terroir contributes to the exceptional quality and character of the wines, attracting wine enthusiasts worldwide. Admired for their elegance, complexity and finesse, Puligny-Montrachet wines strike a remarkable balance of fruit, acidity and minerality. Each bottle embodies the unique terroir, reflecting the meticulous work of winemakers who prioritize quality and expression. These wines exhibit a pale golden colour and a complex flavour profile. With a refreshing acidity, they offer delicate floral notes, ripe orchard fruits like apples and pears and hints of citrus and minerality. Puligny-Montrachet wines showcase a harmonious balance of fruit and structure, combining ripe fruit flavors with subtle oak influences. Oak aging contributes to a creamy texture and complex notes of toasted nuts, vanilla and spices. The Domaine Jean-Louis Chavy Puligny-Montrachet 2021 is a remarkable and intricate wine that embodies the essence of this renowned wine region. It displays a captivating bouquet of lemon peel, lemon curd and white grapefruit, accented by delicate hints of butter, yeast and bread dough. On the palate, it offers a velvety and creamy texture, complemented by flavors of hazelnuts, almonds, brioche and apple pie. The wine's impeccable balance and well-controlled acidity truly make it exceptional, with additional notes of lime, citrus, apple, pear, vanilla and peach enhancing its allure. The finish is nothing short of extraordinary, leaving a lasting impression of incredible minerality and vibrant acidity. With its commendable age, this wine showcases a remarkable complexity. A defining characteristic of this "village" Puligny-Montrachet is its enchanting floral and fruity aroma, which exudes both intensity and richness. The fresh acidity flawlessly counterbalances its richness, resulting in a wine that surpasses expectations. A harmonious blend of style and balance highlights the exceptional quality of this wine. Staying true to its Puligny character, it entices with notes of white peach and citrus, accompanied by subtle hints of nuts and baked bread. The distinctive minerality, a hallmark of Puligny-Montrachet, pairs seamlessly with shellfish dishes. It is the perfect companion for seafood, poultry, creamy sauces and subtly spiced dishes. Notably versatile, it can be enjoyed in its youth while also having the potential to age gracefully, allowing the flavors to evolve and develop even greater complexity over time. The 2021 vintage is sourced from ten small parcels, with vines ranging from 20 to 60 years in age. Noteworthy vineyards include Les Tremblot, Les Meix, Les Levrons, Corvée des Vignes and Les Reuchaux. These small vineyard holdings span the diversity of Puligny, from north to south and are situated just below the premier cru vineyards near the village. This wine is aged in only 20% new oak, allowing for excellent balance and early drinking pleasure. The Domaine Jean-Louis Chavy Puligny Montrachet 2021 stands as a symbol of excellence within the Burgundy wine region. The meticulous focus on Chardonnay, combined with the region's unique terroir, results in an outstanding white wine that truly captures the very essence of the land.

The blend is 100% Chardonnay from various years (20 to 25% of which are reserve wines from the 2 previous years). A large majority of Premiers Crus from the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims vineyards for aromatic refinement, supplemented by Sézannais wines known to provide maturity. Finally, several wines from the north of the Vesle valley give a light, fresh touch.

Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay displays an initial bouquet of slate and wet stone, with nuances of lightly roasted almonds. Subtle hints of citrus, shrouded by nectarine and nashi pear fruits. On the palate, a spiced multi-citrus compote with a very delicate acidity. Balanced and will develop exceptionally well with cellaring.

Charles Heidsieck was one of the very first Champagne Houses to demonstrate its passion for Chardonnay by producing a Blanc de Blancs in its 1949 vintage. There is also evidence that the Maison had produced some mono-crus from the Côte des Blancs as early as1906... Through this cuvée, relaunched in 2018, two of the House’s areas of expertise come together: the production of great white wines and the art of blending a large selection of wines from different years and terroirs. The considerable challenge is to make opposites coexist: the tautness and the freshness of young chardonnays on the one hand, and the silky “Charles” character on the other. The Blanc de Blancs is the result of a very selective blend of Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, Cote de Sezanne and Montgueux. The cuvée base 2016 is composed of 10 crus of Chardonnay, the most sought-after grapes in the region. For this cuvée, only the juice from the first press are used and, the wines benefit from a slow and long maturation of 3 to 4 years, far beyond the norms of the region. From the bottle to glass, this champagne is a pale, crystalline gold colour with glints of the Chardonnay varietal. On the nose the aromas of mature Chardonnay can be recognised initially: white peach, candied citrus with hints of lime, fresh hazelnut and honeysuckle, giving way to subtle hints of tangerine and lemon citrus. On the palate freshness an tautness mark this as almost unconventionally suave for a blanc de blanc, so often characterised as being sharp rather than creamy. The harmonious finish offers a surprising minerality and a slight salinity.

Camille was the ingenious widow at the helm of Louis Roederer from 1932 to 1975, successfully steering it through all the important events of that time. Camille had many strong cards up her sleeve: wines from the finest Champagne terroirs, a collection of crus that her husband Léon had shrewdly acquired after the phylloxera crisis. These exceptional plots in Aÿ, Avize, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Cumières are the treasure troves and foundations of Louis Roederer’s unique style. Their still red and white wines are an authentic expression of the Champagne terroirs that Camille held so dear. Frédéric Rouzaud wanted to pay homage to the great-grandmother whose playful spirit he had so admired. He therefore decided to dedicate this collection of single-vineyard still wines to Camille, perpetuating the Champagne House’s inventive spirit. This new collection is the result of a twofold motion; a glance backwards, to the past, in homage to ancestor Camille; and a gesture to the future, to that which Nature offers and to receive it in order to render it even more beautiful. By working closely with the vines, using solar viticulture and bespoke vinification, they are able to reveal a new dimension hidden in their champagne terroirs. To craft this Chardonnay single-vineyard white wine, the team at Louis Roederer needed to find the most suitable hillside that would give an elegant wine with depth, structure and great style. Volibarts, the historical 55-ares, southeast-facing plot in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, where the old vines grow gently and slowly, seemed to be the ideal choice. Their quest for complexity and a certain tannic character can only be achieved through bespoke vinification. This Chardonnay strikes just the right balance between depth and purity, resulting in a sophisticated composition that draws itself out with exceptional freshness. The 2020 season followed a similar trajectory to that of 2019: a mild, wet winter followed by a dry summer with several heatwaves, admittedly less extreme than in 2019, but which had an impact on the vines. Fortunately, a rather dull month of June brought us a wet interlude between two dry periods. Despite the hot spells and the impression of constant sunshine, the 2020 campaign ended up with relatively normal temperatures and sunshine levels. These continental weather conditions, but with “normal” annual averages, allowed us to produce ripe and well balanced wines. Deep golden yellow hue. Bouquet of yellow fruit (Mirabelle plums), dried nuts (almonds), wheat and roasted hazelnuts. The oaky notes are delicately interwoven into the wine's bouquet, giving an impression of a delicious, noble reduction. The palate is concentrated and caressingly soft with a big, rich, rounded and oily texture. The mid-palate reveals a delicate, sappy texture combined with the lovely mineral acidity that is the hallmark of this wine, while the texture of the oak lengthens the palate and creates a very savoury finish. Oaky notes delicately interwoven into the wine's bouquet, giving an impression of a delicious noble reduction.

The Kevin John Chardonnay is Cullens flagship white from their biodynamic vineyards. A refined and elegant style brimming with white peach and citrus, showing bakery nutty complexity and deft oak integration. The wine is named in honour of Vanya Cullens father, the late Kevin John Cullen. Grapes are harvested on a flower or fruit day and whole-bunch pressed to obtain the highest quality juice. It is then barrel fermented with native yeasts in French oak barriques and matured for approximately 7 months in one- third new and two-thirds seasoned oak barrels.

Founded by Edmond De Ayala in 1860, the House Ayala possesses a remarkable history, rooted in the visionary spirit that resonates with its melodious name from distant lands. The name Ayala appears almost serendipitous, intricately tailored for the village of Aÿ, where the House has proudly stood since its inception. Edmond De Ayala, an inquisitive and bold personality, consistently pursued the path less travelled. Vibrant with the essence of excellence and a spirit of adventure, the House of Ayala continues to be inspired by the indomitable founder who paved its way. In contrast to the prevailing French tradition of dosage, which exceeded 150 g/L during that era, Edmond De Ayala took a bold and audacious move by unveiling "dry champagne" in 1865, with a mere 21 g/L dosage. As a true pioneer, he possessed a discerning vision to revolutionize the Champagne landscape by introducing a drier style, which has created a profound impact to the modern world. Through bespoke craftsmanship, House Ayala employs a tailored approach, working with a diverse selection of crus to achieve the utmost balance and skilfully express the exceptional terroir surrounding Chardonnay, the house's emblematic grape variety. Champagne Ayala relentlessly pursues the finest raw materials from the Champagne region and currently boasts a palette of 70 crus, with 50 of them dedicated to Chardonnay. These crus are sourced from the most esteemed terroirs of Champagne. This remarkable diversity, a distinctive feature of the house, contributes to the complexity and vibrant aromatic freshness found in their blends. The house maintains 20 hectares of their own vineyards, situated in esteemed locations such as the Montagne de Reims, encompassing Aÿ Grand Cru and Dizy, as well as the Côte des Blancs, including Chouilly and Oger, both classified as Grands Crus. Additionally, they have vineyards in Champvoisy and Passy-Grigny in the Vallée de la Marne. With an unwavering commitment to pure expression of the raw materials, Champagne Ayala is transitioning their vineyards to organic viticulture and has obtained HEV and VDC certifications. The House consistently fosters trusting relationships with winegrowers and supports them in their environmental endeavours. Elaborated in limited quantities, exceptionally during the most expressive years, Le Blanc de Blancs brings to the light all of the elegance and the purity from the Chardonnay of the Côte des Blancs. This terroir is home to the most beautiful Chardonnays with a great ageing potential, including three Grands Crus which form the fundamentals of the blend. Chouilly, the House’s own vineyard, complete and subtle, brings a silky texture, a freshness, and an aromatic diversity to the cuvée. Le Mesnil-sur-Oger brings the tension, the precision, and a beautiful ageing capacity, in perfect harmony with the chalky minerality of Cramant. A signature blend, enriched by a selection of remarkable Premiers Crus. Recognizable by its both pure and creamy style, Le Blanc de Blancs is a genuine ode to Chardonnay. The signature cuvée of Caroline Latrive. Ensuring a consistent style, she does not hide her love of Chardonnay, and gives it a central place in her blends. Brilliant and contemporary, this prestigious cuvée flourishes in a special bottle, promoting the development of the organoleptic profile during the 6 years of ageing on lees in the cellars. The ultimate epicurean aperitif, Le Blanc de Blancs 2016 also marvellously goes with a lemony sea bream ceviche, a prawn risotto, or a braised veal fondant with rosemary.