2025 Best's Chardonnay, Great Western

Immediately approachable and inviting. Sweetly fragrant, as always, in spring blossom, hints of honeysuckle, Meyer lemon, peach, cut pear and melon. Runs straight and true, uncluttered by obvious oak, with a mealy creaminess that delivers fresh fruit and plenty of enjoyable drinking. Drink to 2031.

92 points Special Value, Jeni Port for Halliday Wine Companion, July 2026

Best’s is one of Australia’s great historic wine estates, established at Great Western in 1866 by Henry Best. Its extraordinary old cellars and vineyards have survived more than 150 years of Australian wine history, with the Thomson family taking ownership in 1920 and continuing the tradition today. While Shiraz often grabs the headlines here, Chardonnay is particularly well suited to Great Western’s cool climate and long growing season.

The vineyards sit in the foothills of the Grampians, where cool nights help preserve acidity and allow Chardonnay to ripen slowly. The 2025 leans towards freshness and restraint rather than richness, with careful oak sitting behind the fruit. There is enough texture to give the wine substance, while a bright citrus line keeps everything moving.

Pale straw with flashes of green. White peach, nectarine and lemon lead into grapefruit, citrus blossom and a little struck flint. Almond meal and subtle cashew add savoury complexity without overwhelming the fruit. The palate is finely textured, with peach and lemon curd through the middle, crisp acidity and a gentle creamy edge before grapefruit, toasted almond and mineral notes carry the finish.

Grilled scallops with lemon butter would be terrific, as would roast snapper with fennel, prawn linguine, chicken with tarragon and crème fraîche or cauliflower roasted with tahini and toasted almonds. Our pick is the snapper, with crisp potatoes and plenty of lemon alongside.