2024 Wirra Wirra The 12th Man Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills

Adelaide Hills Chardonnay has made five appearances in our Best in Show selection, one more than Western Australia’s Margaret River has notched up; these are clearly landmark regions not just in national but also global terms for Chardonnay-lovers. The struck-match note so prized in Australia is apparent here -- but subtly so; look out for a sweetly leafy charm, too, and a soft creaminess from finely judged barrel-fermentation. It hasn’t had long in bottle yet, so its aromatic harmony and seamlessness was another factor in seducing our panels. You could call it mouthfilling in terms of texture and flavour expression but relatively delicate and light on its feet, by contrast, in terms of weight and alcohol charge. These vineyards are indeed ‘up in the Hills’, remember, where ripeness is neither assured nor rapid. The wine’s grain and finesse reflect a full season on the vine – and its producer’s careful harvesting and handling techniques.

97 points Best In Show Decanter World Wine Awards 2025

The 2024 Wirra Wirra The 12th Man Chardonnay from the Adelaide Hills has taken top honours at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards, earning the coveted Best in Show title — an extraordinary achievement that places this wine among the world’s elite.

Sourced from high-altitude vineyards in the cooler parts of the Adelaide Hills, this Chardonnay is a shining example of modern Australian winemaking: restrained, elegant, and deeply expressive of place. The fruit is handpicked and whole bunch pressed, then fermented and matured in French oak, with a judicious use of new barrels to build complexity without overwhelming the fruit.

In the glass, it opens with vibrant aromas of white peach, lemon curd, struck match and flint, supported by a whisper of cashew and grilled hazelnut. The palate is taut and focused, showing citrus, nectarine and fine oak spice, driven by a precise acid line and a beautifully chalky texture. It’s a wine of power and finesse, with a lingering finish that echoes with minerality and quiet confidence.

This award underscores Wirra Wirra’s continued excellence under winemaker Emma Wood and its evolution from McLaren Vale stalwart to cool-climate Chardonnay standout.

Ideal with grilled lobster, chicken with morel cream sauce, or a wild mushroom tart. Enjoy now or cellar for 8 to 10 years.