Description
Chardonnay is probably our favourite white grape. Here are six of our favourite anytime, anywhere Chardonnays that we have highly recommend to anyone looking for a great value Chardy fix.
- 2021 Tyrrell's Belford Chardonnay
- 2024 Patrick Sullivan Chardonnay
- 2023 Two Tonne Tasmania TMV Chardonnay
- 2023 Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay
- 2023 Kerri Greens Pigface Chardonnay
- 2023 Domaine Naturaliste Discovery Chardonnay
2021 Tyrrell's Belford Chardonnay
While the Semillon on the Belford vineyard was planted back in 1933, it wasn't until 1991 that Chardonnay vines were put down on this iconic Hunter Valley vineyard.
Belford the northernmost Chardonnay vineyard that the Tyrrell's family farms, and produces uniquely rich and powerful Chardonnay wines.
Handpicked and meticulously crafted, the fruit is basket pressed, chilled to settle then undergoes fermentation in stainless-steel tanks and matures in French oak barriques for eight months.
It's a beautifully controlled version of modern Hunter Chardonnay.
97 points
"Belford vineyard has a sense of place. It is unlike peers thanks to its multilayered, tangy fruit with a hint of blood orange (both skin and flesh). Outstanding value."
- James Halliday (Halliday Wine Companion)
2024 Patrick Sullivan Chardonnay
Patrick Sullivan is a name synonymous with exceptional Australian Chardonnay.
Here's a top-value way to sample his sensational stylings with this variety, with this very reasonably-priced entry-level Pat Sullivan wine!
This, only the third-ever release, continues to honour the volcanic soils of Southern Australia with a wine that strikes a lovely balance between richness, well-defined fruit, and distinctive soil-derived minerality.
The vineyards are nestled along Australia's unique limestone coast. This region is the world's third-largest volcanic plain, harbouring approximately 400 dormant volcanoes. Who knew?!
Pat's deep-rooted connection to this area, where he spent much of his childhood, fills him with tremendous enthusiasm as he offers this great modern representation of Australian Chardonnay.
2023 Two Tonne Tasmania TMV Chardonnay
The TMV Chardonnay from young Ricky Evans is a wine designed to tell the story of the vintage through the lens of the Tamar Valley
This wine is made from two different parcels of fruit from Ricky's fledgeling vineyard. It's a classic, generous expression of Chardonnay from the region.
Ricky has made quite a lot of Chardonnay during his previous life at a bigger Tasmanian-based wine company, here is his chance to make the style of Chardonnay that he wants to drink.
It's excellent value - you'll need to look long and hard for a better priced Chardonnay of this quality from the Apple Isle.
2023 Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay
The Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay is a blend of five of the key Giant Steps owned/managed vineyards, Sexton, Gruyere Farm, Tarraford, Applejack, Wombat Creek Vineyards, designed for earlier approachability without comprising quality. In essence, it's a snapshot of the Yarra Valley vintage.
Head Winemaker Mel Chester crafts this in a similar style to her predecessor Steve Flamsteed, with all fruit hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed. The juice ferments naturally in 500L French oak puncheons (15% new) using indigenous yeast, a small portion undergoes malolactic fermentation, but freshness and purity are the main focus of this cuvee every year.
The 2023 vintage was marked by a cool, slow ripening season, resulting in concentrated flavours and bright acidity. It's a tightly wound release that drinks beautifully now but should be one of the better vintages of this wine to cellar in some years.
It's sleek and elegant with the excellent length and finesse that has become synonymous with the Yarra and this variety. It's the perfect introduction to Giant Steps, to the Yarra Valley and to cool-climate Chardonnay. A no-brainer and one of our all-time most popular Chardonnays at Different Drop.
95 points
"Intoxicating acidity and a kefir creaminess on the finish. A spray of saline and oak appears in its round shapes rather than toasty notes. Alive with energy and creeping unsuspecting power."
- Shanteh Wale (Wine Pilot)
95 points
"Packs a punch on the saline, gently textured, gently chewy palate. Great stuff and the perfect entrée to the year's superb lineup of single-vineyard chardonnays."
- Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)
2023 Kerri Greens Pigface Chardonnay
Smooth, caressing Chardonnay from a single vineyard plot in the Balnarring sub-region of Mornington.
Less of a sunshine in a glass tropical white and more of a leaden-skies sit by the fire savoury Chardonnay to drink while the roast chicken cooks. Softly textured, hazelnuts and ripe stonefruits.
Grown in the fertile soils of our Silverwood vineyard down the hill in Balnarring, wild fermented on solids then rested in french oak for 12 months. Minimal additions, all unfined and unfiltered, and all kinds of delicious.
2023 Domaine Naturaliste Discovery Chardonnay
After 20 years observing the area, Bruce Dukes decided all the Chardonnays from Domaine Naturaliste would be crafted entirely from the Gin Gin clone.
This is his best value, early drinking Chardonnay. A wine that seriously over-delivers in the bang-for-your-buck stakes, it's built in a more fruit-forward style - ripe, but not too ripe, and balanced perfectly with a subtle hint of oak.
This is one of the best buys in all of Australian Chardonnay at the moment. You'd be mad not to.
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Shipping
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For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.
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Ordering
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