2024 Warramate Chardonnay, Yarra Valley

Some pressing included and some mlf. A very bright green gold. Vibrant and fresh with aromas of fresh pear and nectarines. A gentleness on the palate which is composed and well balanced, with fine acidity rounding out a wine to drink now and over the next 2–3 years.

94 points Special Value Philip Rich winecompanion.com.au

Warramate Chardonnay from the Yarra Valley is a quietly confident, finely detailed white wine that punches well above its weight — a modern Australian Chardonnay that celebrates purity, restraint and the strength of good vineyard work over heavy winemaking. Sitting on the slopes of the Warramate Ranges in the Upper Yarra, this estate is a neighbour to the more famous Yarra Yering, sharing both vineyard heritage and a no-nonsense commitment to site expression.

Fruit for this wine is hand-picked from high-elevation vines grown on grey loam soils over clay, ideal for retaining acidity and finesse. Winemaking is simple and hands-off. Fermentation takes place with wild yeast in mostly older French oak barrels, and the wine sees extended time on lees to build texture without excessive oak influence. The result is lean, elegant and mineral-driven — not flashy, but quietly complex.

In the glass, it offers aromas of white peach, lemon curd, crushed rock, and almond meal, with faint hints of flint and struck match. The palate is sleek and well-focused, with zesty acidity, a light creamy mid-palate, and a gently chalky finish. It’s a Chardonnay that’s about energy and detail more than volume — understated but sophisticated.

Food pairing: Ideal with grilled scallops, roast chicken with tarragon and lemon, zucchini and goat cheese tart, or even lightly spiced Thai fish cakes. For cheese, think fresh chèvre or creamy Burrata.

Cellar potential: Drinking well now for its crispness and drive, but will evolve more savoury depth and nutty complexity over the next 4–6 years.