2024 Yarra Yering Chardonnay, Yarra Valley

From one of the Yarra Valley’s most revered estates, Yarra Yering Chardonnay is produced in tiny quantities and has quietly become one of Australia’s most sought after expressions of the variety. Founded by Dr Bailey Carrodus in 1969, Yarra Yering helped define modern Yarra Valley wine, and today under the guidance of winemaker Sarah Crowe, the estate continues to craft wines of precision, restraint and unmistakable pedigree. Fruit is sourced from carefully managed estate vines, with a focus on balance, natural acidity and fine oak integration.

A pale lemon gold with brilliant clarity sits in the glass. Aromas unfold with white peach, lemon zest and grapefruit layered with cashew, flint and a delicate struck match note. There is an immediate sense of finesse and quiet intensity, everything finely detailed rather than overt.

The palate is taut yet textural, delivering citrus and stone fruit flavours framed by vibrant acidity and a finely etched mineral line. Notes of almond meal, brioche and saline freshness build through the mid palate, leading to a long, precise finish that feels both powerful and effortlessly controlled. This is a Chardonnay built for the cellar, evolving beautifully over ten to fifteen years into layers of nutty complexity and savoury depth.

Seared scallops with brown butter, delicate sashimi sliced clean, or tempura zucchini flowers with light soy placed at the centre of the table. A late evening listen to Bach’s Goldberg Variations or something equally intricate, the wine holding that same sense of structure and quiet brilliance, every note in perfect balance.