2025 Balnaves of Coonawarra Chardonnay, Coonawarra

Vibrant and refreshing with Amalfi lemon, summer flowers, white orchard fruits, chalk, green apple and a lovely zesty, vibrant energy. The palate is taut with tense acidity and an underlying generous mouthfeel that leaves a salivating, mineral-edged finish with plenty of time left in bottle. This is a finely constructed chardonnay. Drink or hold.

94 points Ryan Montgomery for James Suckling, September 2026

The 2025 vintage of the Balnaves Chardonnay continues the brilliant trajectory this wine has been on in the recent years.

Made from estate grown fruit that was handpicked at the end of February, whole bunch pressed and barrel fermented, half with indigenous yeasts, and half with a select (AWRI 1375) yeast strain. The wine was then matured for eleven months in French oak barrels of which 17% were new.

About this producer

The Balnaves family have been associated with Coonawarra since 1855, with the vineyard at the southern end of the Terra Rossa strip established in 1975. Founders Doug and Annette Balnaves were joined by children Pete and Kirsty in 1990, just in time for their first wines.

Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for 70% of the vineyards, the remaining having been planted to Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Chardonnay.

Maddie LeMire has been leading the team at the winery from the start of 2025 after Jacinta Jenkins' tenure that followed Pete Bissell’s retirement in 2020. Pete still consults on the wines on a casual basis.