Kooyong Faultline Chardonnay
2007
Mornington Peninsula
Sample. Slightly muffled nose here but there's some impressive citrusy fruit - quite tart and yeast lees have added a reductive nougat side to the wine. Chalky and restrained style, subdued and integrated oak influence, fruit just lacks an edge, perhaps down to the vintage.
92
Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay
2007
Margaret River
Sample. Quite restrained nose and backwards fruit aromas so give this some good air. Primary and pure ripe stone fruits and figs build with some gentle clean flinty fruit characters arriving on the palate, sparkling clarity, impressive evenness and grapefruity finish. Peach skin, good drive and lingering richness.
91
Freycinet Chardonnay
2008
Margaret River
Sample. Nicely ripened pears and some stone fruits here too. This has a cool restrained and focused palate with fine precise acidity pinning ripe citrus and white peach flavour in place. Terrific purity, more white peach through the finish; fine long and even, a distinctive style, nicely balanced.
96
Penfolds Reserve Bin 07A Chardonnay
2017
Adelaide Hills
Sample. Complex and restrained with melon citrus and just the right amount of match strike - this is right in the style of great modern aussie chardonnay. The paalte hols a restrained line of acid crunch and has melony peach blossom flavour. Handy nutty oak, some apple too, finishing clean, bright and smooth.
94
Penfolds Reserve Bin 07A Chardonnay
2016
Adelaide Hills
Sample. This junior Pirie chardonnay is steelya nd restrained and has almost chablis-like austerity - all about cool-climate fruit. Cool melon and pears, some honeysuckle and floral edges, finishing with a racy, bracing crispness.
93
Jones Estate Shiraz
2018
Barossa Valley
Sample. The Pirie estate level chardonnay comes with additional richness and complexity, quiet ripe poached pear fruits and some candied melon. The palate has a savoury side to it and a bright appealing and upbeat side to it. Nice savoury acid line and length through the finish.
92
Stevens Road Shiraz
2015
McLaren Vale
Sample. This has mouth watering aromas, smells tart and tangy with citrus and nectarine fruits, some savoury nutty complexity across the top. Really chirpy palate, decent drive and length, finishing with balance, freshness and a resounding elegance. Like it!
91
Chatto Pinot Noir Marions
2020
Tasmania
Sample. This is exceptionally pure and fresh with such attractive strawberry and red cherry fruits on the nose as well as nicely weighted oak spice. The palate is supple. elegant and focused. Has great pinot soul with tangy acidity and thirst-inducing freshness. Fine and long. So drinkable now.
94
Chatto Pinot Noir Bird
2020
Tasmania
Sample. Very smart and attractively shaped pinot that has raspberry and essence-like red fruits and flowers as well as ground spices. Silky palate, elegant yet piercing, the acidity is a highlight here. Drink now.
93
Felton Road Chardonnay
2008
Central Otago
Sample. Has some real restraint and citrus as well as melon and stone fruit here, this is cut with a handy edge and winemaking has been added judiciously. The palate has reichness and weight with plenty of melon and candied fruit flavour, good attack and length and long through the finish. Ripe yet balanced, strong fruit here, typical of Otago.
92