2025 Warramate Chardonnay, Yarra Valley

No mlf and about 20% new wood. First things first, I love the new label by Marina Strocchi that was commissioned by Yarra Yering. A bright green gold. Aromas of just-ripened stone fruits, a hint of vanilla pod and a little orange blossom. With its gentle fleshiness, this builds nicely through the mid-palate. Finishes with a touch of grip, rounding off a very keenly priced wine. Drink to 2030.

95 points Special Value Philip Rich for Halliday Wine Companion, June 2026

Lifted and pretty aromas of grapefruit pith, white flowers, nougat, nuts, melon and nettle. Mouth-filling, creamy, textured and with a drive of stone fruit, nuts, pithy acidity and green melon. Long and with plenty to like. Drink to 2033.

92 points Aaron Brasher for The Real Review, August 2026

This wine is a blend of Chardonnay blocks across the Warramate vineyard and its numerous clones. The fruit was handpicked and gently whole bunch pressed, with selected pressings retained to add texture, weight and subtle phenolic grip. Fermentation took place on light solids for complexity and palate depth, followed by a nine-month maturation in French oak barrels of which 10% were new.

A nicely detailed Chardonnay that drinks well on release, and while not intended for long term cellaring, will keep well in the bottle over several years.

About this producer

Established by the Church family in 1970, the well-regarded Warramate vineyard has since 2011 been part of neighbouring Yarra Yering, a Yarra Valley icon established in 1969 by Sydney-born Dr Bailey Carrodus. Yarra local Andrew Gorge has led the team looking after the vineyards since 2012, with Brokenwood alumna Sarah Crowe joining as his counterpart at the winery a year later.