2023 Canobolas Chardonnay, Orange

Sourced from deep red ferrosol soils. Some wines require time and the peace and serenity of place to hear their voice. This is such a wine. It is not shouting for attention, instead, it's telling an age-old story of the trickling river streams, deep iron oxide soils and the under-vine make-up of a special place. Fresh linen, lotus flower and grapefruit pulp. An earthy celeriac and artichoke pull towards the crystalline salinity of quartz and scallop shell. Full mlf has tamed its natural quivering acidity and allowed for a horchata creaminess. A wine that might be passed by but, for those that revere wines of earthly spirit and finesse, this is utterly glorious. Drink to 2038.

97 points Shanteh Wale for Halliday Wine Companion, August 2025

Medium-light straw with a glint of green, the bouquet expressive and intense with butterscotch, malt, lemon and nectarine aromas, bright and fresh and youthful. The palate is super-refined and intense, bright and focused with tremendous length, focus and precision. An immaculate chardonnay with loads of potential. Drink to 2038.

96 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review, January 2025

Rated the best 2023 Chardonnay from Orange by The Real Review, this wine is sourced from the original vines planted in 1985.

About this producer

Canobolas Wines is the third oldest vineyard in the high-altitude Orange region of NSW, established by the Smith family in 1985 within the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people. The Mattick family have been custodians of the place since 2022, with winemaker Jonathon Mattick working with viticulturist Laura Arnold.

The vineyard is planted on a north to northeast facing slope of Mount Canobolas. The site rises from 775 to 820 metres in altitude, with wines standing in deep red ferrosol and clay soils over free draining basaltic rock.

The name Canobolas comes from ‘coona’ meaning shoulder and ‘booloo’ meaning two, which the Wiradjuri pronounced Gaanha-bula. This was traditionally an important occupation site for sourcing and sharing of food, and for corroborees and ceremonies particularly relating to men’s business. To the Wiradjuri people, Gaanha-bula is a place of spiritual connection through worship of Baiame (the Creator God and Sky Father) and through the dreaming story of Gaanha-bula as one of three feuding brothers.