2024 Penfolds Max's Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills

The 2024 Penfolds Max’s Chardonnay from the Adelaide Hills is a bright, modern white wine that pays tribute to one of the winery’s great pioneers, Max Schubert — the legendary creator of Grange. While Max is more often associated with bold reds, this Chardonnay captures his spirit of innovation in a crisp, expressive cool-climate style that’s both accessible and true to Penfolds' DNA of precision and polish.

Fruit is sourced from premium vineyards across the Adelaide Hills, one of Australia’s top regions for elegant, high-acid Chardonnay. The cool elevation and long growing season here allow for slow ripening, giving the wine its fine citrus backbone, clean minerality and refined structure.

Winemaking is guided by Penfolds' signature blending philosophy. Fruit parcels are fermented in a mix of stainless steel and seasoned French oak, with some partial malolactic fermentation and time on lees to build mid-palate weight and a creamy textural layer, all while preserving freshness. The oak is subtle, acting as a frame rather than a feature.

In the glass, the 2024 release opens with aromas of white nectarine, grapefruit pith, lemon curd and hints of almond meal and struck match. The palate is fresh and medium-bodied, with zesty acidity and flavours of citrus, green apple and just a touch of vanilla and toast on the finish. It walks the line between crisp and rounded beautifully, making it a versatile option for a wide range of food pairings.

Enjoy it with grilled prawns and salsa verde, lemon-roasted chicken, or a shaved fennel and goat cheese salad. Best consumed within the next five years to enjoy its vibrant fruit and finely balanced texture.