2024 Luminant Chardonnay, Yarra Valley

It has a honey floral perfume, stone fruit, and a little sweet spicy oak. It offers some creaminess and gloss, but also has a bright pink grapefruit character, balanced acidity, some flinty bits, with a finish of good length, some lemon peel and nougat to close. It makes for a satisfying glass of Chardonnay. Nice.

92 points Gary Walsh winefront.com.au

This new label from the Yarra Valley has brought in Charles Smedley from Mandala Wines to ensure it is off to the best possible start. The fruit, from the Dixon’s Creek sub-region, is 50% handpicked and then 100% whole bunch pressed. Fermentation is in French oak and 20% of the wine sees malolactic fermentation as well. Maturation is for seven months in that French oak.
A deep yellow/straw hue, the wine opens with decidedly nutty aromas, all rather spicy. Cashews and almonds to the fore, supported by notes of stonefruit and melon. We also have hints of some freshly turned earth, honeysuckle and citrus. There is a good line of acidity and the wine is of medium length. For enjoying over the next three to five years.

91 points Ken Gargett winepilot.com

Luminant Chardonnay Yarra Valley is a finely tuned cool climate Chardonnay that reflects the elegance and restraint the region is celebrated for. The Yarra Valley has long been one of Australia’s leading homes for Chardonnay, thanks to its varied elevations, cool growing season and ancient volcanic and sedimentary soils. Luminant focuses on clarity of fruit and regional expression, sourcing quality Yarra Valley vineyards and handling the fruit with precision to retain freshness and finesse rather than overt richness.

Pale straw with a hint of green, the aromatics are bright and layered. White peach, nectarine and lemon zest lead the way, followed by subtle notes of grapefruit pith, almond meal and a whisper of struck match complexity. There is a fine mineral edge that gives the wine lift and direction, reflecting the cool climate origins.

The palate is medium bodied, textured and beautifully balanced. Stone fruit and citrus glide across a line of vibrant natural acidity, supported by gentle oak influence that adds shape without dominating. A creamy mid palate is countered by a clean, mineral driven finish that lingers with citrus and subtle savoury notes. The result is classic Yarra Valley Chardonnay with energy, restraint and precision.

Serve alongside grilled chicken with lemon and thyme, pan seared scallops, roast pork with apple and fennel, or a simple seafood risotto. Enjoy now for its freshness and purity, or cellar for five to eight years to allow further integration and development of nutty, toasty complexity.