2015 Lethbridge Allegra Museum Release Chardonnay, Geelong

A remarkably bright green gold for an 11-year-old chardonnay; 100% new oak and 100% mlf. A still-fresh and complex nose of acacia honey, lightly grilled cashew and subtle oyster-shell scents. Looks and smells more youthful than the current '21 Allegra! And while it's ready to drink, with its intense, nutty and very long palate, this will still be looking good five years from now. Lovely wine. Drink to 2031.

97 points Philip Rich for Halliday Wine Companion, July 2026 (notes for the recent 'Museum Release' of this wine)

The fruit for the Allegra Chardonnay was sourced entirely from the historic Rebenberg Vineyard on Mount Duneed, an area first planted with vines in 1858. The premium fruit comes from over 35 year old vines yielding less than one tonne/acre, and was hand-picked at 13.2 Bé and pH 3.25. Fruit was whole bunch pressed and run into 100% new French oak puncheons (450-500L) without prior clarification. Fermentation occurred with indigenous yeast. Following the end of fermentation, malolactic fermentation occurred in barrel with natural yeasts. Wines were left in barrel on gross lees for a further 15 months prior to marriage and bottling. Extended bottle maturation of this wine will allow the tight complex character of this wine to develop.

Allegra represents the pinnacle of Chardonnay at Lethbridge, a wine produced only in exceptional vintages and released with extended bottle age to reveal its full complexity. Founded by Ray Nadeson and Maree Collis, the family estate has become one of Geelong's benchmark producers, crafting cool climate wines of remarkable precision, longevity and individuality.

Sourced from the estate's low yielding vineyard in Geelong, the fruit is grown on ancient loam over limestone, where cool maritime conditions encourage slow, even ripening. The 2015 vintage has matured gracefully, allowing the wine to develop layers of complexity while retaining the freshness and mineral drive that define great cool climate Chardonnay.

The colour is a deep golden straw with brilliant clarity. Aromas of preserved lemon, white peach and baked apple mingle with roasted hazelnut, brioche, beeswax and flinty mineral notes. The palate is rich yet beautifully poised, combining creamy texture with vibrant acidity and finely integrated oak. Notes of toasted almond, citrus curd and savoury complexity unfold through a long, seamless finish that echoes the pedigree of this remarkable museum release.

A magnificent partner for butter poached lobster, roast turbot, chicken with morels, aged Comté or wild mushroom risotto finished with truffle. Drinking superbly now, this beautifully cellared Chardonnay still has the balance and structure to reward further ageing over the next decade.