A little lean for a stereotypically Aussie Chardonnay but this is, on the other hand, eerily like a Chablis with its sleek, stony fruit. Juicy and appetizing. Lots of texture but ready to enjoy already! (JR).

Transparent garnet. Very fruity and forgiving on the nose. Violet scents. Really mouth-filling and already very welcoming. There’s a hint of white pepper on the end. This is a really interesting wine with fruit that subsumes the light tannin. (JR).

Capable and obviously very clean and fresh Chenin. Far from the most characterful at this
stage but it's a very youthful (very pristine) wine. Bright-fruited but too expensive. Maybe
it will bloom?

The aim of winemaker Graham Weerts of Capensis, the Jackson Family Wines South
African Chardonnay project, is not to produce a copy of a northern Rhône wine but
something very evidently true to the site. Very pure, fresh and fruity. Hardly perceptible
tannins and lovely pure fruit. Perhaps not a very long-distance player but very charming –
a wine that improved overnight.

Nice balance between richness and crystalline character, with that grapefruit element running through it. Really sophisticated wine with a beginning, middle and end. I'm not at all sur it’s a bargain(!) but it's a very good drink.

Light nose but really very fresh and crisp on the palate with delicate fruit and more than a hint of the grapefruit character of the informing vineyard. The best-value Capensis wine? Though maybe not for the cellar.

The three Chardonnays are well delineated. This is very deep-flavoured and complete.
Beautiful balance and slightly bitter on the end, in a good way. A complex, slightly spicy
wine. The 'regular' Capensis is probably more refreshing and burgundian. Though this
comment would doubtless infuriate winemaker Graham Weerts who is trying not to ape
any other wine style but produce something ineffably South African.

This is a new expression from Tenuta di Arceno—a limited-production Chianti Classico wine cultivated at high elevation (1800 feet)—the name is a nod to the wolves that wander the vineyard parcels. The palate is rich and supple with black cherry and spice notes. A lingering finish and satiny tannins make it a pleasure to drink now.

La Crema’s Monterey bottling (the winery makes Chardonnays from several regions) hits an ideal balance between the rich-and-oaky and lean-and-crisp schools of Chardonnay, with a mix of tropical and orchard fruit flavors.

Aromas of bright cherries, raspberries and a hint of sweet oak. Bright and juicy flavours of cherry and raspberry have a nice citrus backbone and barely perceptible tannins. Excellent acidity and balance. (AY) 14.2%

From the Yamill-Carlton region of Oregon, this balanced and understated chardonnay has bright acidity but a creamy finish. Apple, spice and vanilla notes

A bit deeper and richer than many Oregon pinot noirs. Ripe cherry and berry notes with a pleasant hint of oak.

This wine showcases Kelli Anne Vineyard, one of La Crema’s prizes on the banks of the Russian River. It gets bright sunny days and foggy mornings which produces crisp, bright Chardonnay. It’s sunny but icy, with delicate notes of white flowers and pear balanced out by a backbone of brioche. $55

One positive feature about merlot is its approachability and ripeness that blends so well with autumn fare, particularly grilled meats. This dandy has excellent structure, floral aromas and fresh plum flavors with a hint of cedar and sage.

Made from 91% Cabernet and 9% Merlot, this tastes like it is made from 200% Cabernet, given it is the essence of the grape in high definition. Oak plays a delicious supplementary role, but the fruit is King. And, instead of being a hulking monster, it is definitely bold and forthright, but it is also exceptionally civilised.

The Mt Brave vineyard was established many decades ago at high altitude on Mt Veeder between the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Above the fog line, the vines receive plenty of morning sunshine, but the nutrient-poor, gravelly soils give small grapes with concentrated flavours. What an extraordinary wine is this Merlot – practically perfect in every way. Deep purple-black in hue, the wine exudes morello cherry and black plum fruit with perfumed aromatics and gentle toast accents. Vibrant flavours across the full-bodied palate are in seamless balance with good freshness and silky tannins. Opulent but elegant, the wine is complete, textured and layered, revealing a sequence of flavours towards the lingering finish. Sensational.

 Sourcing grapes from one of the oldest cabernet franc vineyards in Napa Valley, this wine has durability. Intense raspberry, dried sage and black pepper aromas are followed by dense dark fruit flavors and firm tannins.

 If you have given up on merlot, try this from one of the most venerable merlot producers that never wavered from producing the maligned grape variety. Great structure, yet approachable fresh plum note with hints of cedar and sage.

The Mt Brave vineyard was established many decades ago at high altitude on Mt Veeder between the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Above the fog line, the vines receive plenty of morning sunshine, but the nutrient-poor, gravelly soils give small grapes with concentrated flavours. What an extraordinary wine is this Merlot – practically perfect in every way. Deep purple-black in hue, the wine exudes morello cherry and black plum fruit with perfumed aromatics and gentle toast accents. Vibrant flavours across the full-bodied palate are in seamless balance with good freshness and silky tannins. Opulent but elegant, the wine is complete, textured and layered, revealing a sequence of flavours towards the lingering finish. Sensational.

 Sourcing grapes from one of the oldest cabernet franc vineyards in Napa Valley, this wine has durability. Intense raspberry, dried sage and black pepper aromas are followed by dense dark fruit flavors and firm tannins.

Established in 1886, Freemark Abbey was the 16th bonded winery in California. The only producer to have both a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay in Steven Spurrier ’s 1976 ‘Judgment of Paris’ tasting, which catapulted Napa Valley into the international spotlight, Freemark Abbey’s ‘classic’ wines have long been recognised as exceptional. Fashioned by Freemark Abbey head winemaker Kristy Melton, the wine is deep ruby in colour, showing red plum and ripe blackcurrant fruit with touches of vanilla buttercream, exotic spices, leather and violet. On the palate, brisk acidity and linen tannins frame the flavours. Packed with layers and textures, the wine will be superb served with a lamb and barley stew with dried figs and olives.

Medium gold color; lemon-lime, peach, pear, pineapple, some green apple, orange blossom, jasmine, oak, vanilla, spice, minerality on the nose and palate.

Vanilla and praline on the nose. Tasted alongside the Kershaw Chardonnays, the Silene seemed quite sweet and loose by comparison. More California in style. Much softer. Round and dimpled. Melon and cashew-nut butter. Good length. Approachable. (TC)

Made with 100 percent pinot noir grapes, this fun, refreshing wine doesn’t take itself too seriously. But don’t let its playful side fool you. It’s filled with wonderful fruit-like flavors, especially hints of strawberry, watermelon, peach and raspberry. It’s also slightly flinty which means it will hold its own just fine with a wide range of foods, including salmon, shrimp and watermelon.