What do you think is the best Chardonnay

[Mahmoud Ali]

Off topic, in the New Zealand vein, I really liked the '07 Sacred Hill 'Riflemans' Chardonnay. It was beautiful when young (as in two years ago), elegant, rich, fine-boned, and long. I have no idea how it will age but will give it a go.

Mahmoud.

[Rossco]

I havent had a lot of top shelf chardonnay (still need to try the Yattarna, giaconda, Mount Mary)
but here it goes anyway

1. Leeuwin 09, and although young, it was sensational.
2. Shaw & Smith M3
3. Forest Hill block 8 (btw their estate chard is amazing for the price!)
4. Vasse Felix Heytesbury
5. Toolangi Estate
6. Velo Wines (tas)
7. Montalto (the eleven)
8. Kooyong Faultline
9. Yabby Lake block 6

10. Heemskerk....... thanks to Michael for jogging my memory

Im sure most of the above will change once I get some more serious chardonnays under my belt!

[Craig(NZ)]

Off topic, in the New Zealand vein, I really liked the '07 Sacred Hill 'Riflemans' Chardonnay. It was beautiful when young (as in two years ago), elegant, rich, fine-boned, and long. I have no idea how it will age but will give it a go.

Yes it was a great wine when young, I remember it. Lots of lemony flavours, even pineapple. Light on its feet, agile and elegant. Really classy. Although it is considerable more expensive, riflemans now really competes well with Te Mata Elston which a decade ago was the best HB Chardonnay. Elston though is a bargain in a good vintage at $30 on special and it has always performed extremely well in blind group tastings...it has wide appeal.

Another wine in that vein of the 07 Riflemans was the 07 Neudorf Moutere Chardonnay. Not the behemoth that some other vintages are meaning it was approachable young. Concentrated yet elegant and really sophisticated. This would be on my short list for best ever NZ Chardonnay

Kumeu River has really stepped up a notch over the last few vintages with the single vineyard wines. The 2010's look so classy

[Michael R]

Hey Cuttle

Yeah not many call outs for Tassie, although Velo mentioned above is good shout (oaked version), Delamere is decent and Apsley Gorge is one i really like. Heemskerk (have only tried 1 though) gets some good press.

Of course, Tassie would argue that Yattarna & Eileen Hardy are part of their stable. Not sure what the final percentages of Tassie grapes included are, but assume they're significant . Pretty sure all of Pooleys grapes go into the Yattarna.

[AaronL]

For Tassie chardonnay, Pipers Brook should get a mention. I've been happily drinking their chards at 20 years, most recently the 1992. Perhaps not really at the pointy end of the chardonnay spectrum, but very well made, cellarable wines.

[Rossco]

Hey Cuttle

Yeah not many call outs for Tassie, although Velo mentioned above is good shout (oaked version), Delamere is decent and Apsley Gorge is one i really like. Heemskerk (have only tried 1 though) gets some good press.

Of course, Tassie would argue that Yattarna & Eileen Hardy are part of their stable. Not sure what the final percentages of Tassie grapes included are, but assume they're significant . Pretty sure all of Pooleys grapes go into the Yattarna.

Jebus Michael.... how could I forget Heemskerk!!!!!! *corrected now

Great Chardonnay & (in my opinion) even better Riesling. Have been wanting to grab some
of their sparkling too......

[Michael R]

Interesting Aaron....Shannon/Red Velvet was telling me recently that the 91 Pipers Brook Pinot was showing superbly.
Obviously they were making some cracking wines then if the Chardys are also going 20 years in a canter.

I actually visited there last September and bought a couple of the Chardonnays, since drunk, think the 09, was v good but didn't really rate their other wines much. Dont think all the good stuff was available on taste though.

Rossco....yep, i'm keen to try a few more Heemskerk wines too, sometimes wonder if the winemarker ever returns to Pooley (her parents winery), will she start making Pooley Chardonnay instead of sending the grapes to Penfolds.

Edit....did a quick check and looks like she is back at Pooley now.

[Moneyback]

Thanks. Got some great tips from this thread. I'm not a big Chardonnay drinker but never say no to a giaconda or leeuwin estate art series.

Ill seek a few of the others mentioned.

Good thread.

[TravisW]

Leeuwin for me. I haven't drunk loads of Aussie Chard, but we had a Leeuwin 1994 in about 2007 and it was stunning. Thrilling even.

I had a dead-set ringer for a aged,fat Burg last year from my folk's cellar, fom some tiny little Estate down on the Vic/NSW border, about 15 years old, but can't remember its name. I know, loads of help! I'll pop around there soon and have a peak at his remaining bottles. It was shockingly good.

Cheers, Travis.

[tonym]

This week I have had a 2009 Voyager Estate chardonnay and a 2010 Barwang 842 and both have been excelent, both under $40 and both different styles but I would be unable to say which is best as they were both great. I will keep buying these. I find it very hard to find older wine such as early 2000s or before in the stores that I visit as most wine is recent vintage so 2006 or later is what I usually end up with.

[Michael R]

Sorry! have one more which I highly recommend, and roughly fits the $40 range, maybe a touch more...2011 Sorrenberg, from beechworth. Have drunk a lot of this since 08, and the 2011 shows very nicely.

[Mark Carrington]

Leeuwin (favourite from anywhere);
Pierro;
And then plenty of other decent producers, a current favourite being Kooyong's Faultline.

[paulf]

I'm not a big Chardonay drinker, but I'd put Giaconda at the top of the tree for me.
I had a lovely Sorrenberg a few weeks ago from 2008 I think.
Pierro and Savatere have impressed me previously but I haven't had either for a couple of years.
10 Minutes X Tractor made me buy chardonay again after a few years of not touching it.