Wynns, Coonawara Estate, Chardonnay

Made by a very old family-owned winery in one of the most historic and important districts in Australia, this is a wine that really grabbed our attention, being bright, crisp, fresh, complex and yet from a region synonymous with the production of very fine reds.

Flavours of peach, ripe apples and blossom are supported by cashew and very, very subtle oak influences. These barely decorate the wine and come from part fermentation in large oak vats rather than any heavy oak barrique maturation. It's a very judiciously made wine and feels as though the wine has been "allowed" to be made rather than pushed or pulled by human design.

The result is a gorgeous Chardonnay from the famed Coonawarra district of South Australia. Proving that with the right attitude in the winery and careful handling of vines during the very hot ripening season, you can still produce wines of serious balance, elegance and finesse - in red or white colouration!

Now, this isn't as delicate or bright and mineral as Chablis, but it is arresting in its freshness given the context in which it is made. This is the heart of terra rossa vineyards, where some of the most wonderful expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon are found: it's really, genuinely pleasing to have a white like this in the mix. The winery claim they can produce this because of their cooling Southern Ocean influences, and while that may keep the temperature moderated, they still get average monthly temperatures of 21 degrees, so it's not like it's very chilly... the skill the have is serious and they are very conscientious in producing this delicious and delightful wine.

This wine is for you if you...:

Like Chardonnay.

Like Chardonnay, but know that other people around you don't tend to like it - because they'll be convinced!

Like Burgundy (but can't afford it...)

Like to experiment.

Like good wine.