On top scores, chardonnay ranks a very close third behind shiraz and cabernet for the strongest category in Australian wine today. Margaret River again towers above all others, alone putting forth a tremendous showing of more than half of this year’s standouts. Of the balance, the Yarra Valley stands tall, responsible for almost two-thirds.
No surprise that, just like last year, the two wine regions went head-to-head with Penfolds Yattarna in the final taste-off. And just to prove that lightening can strike in the same place twice, Oakridge 864 was also again a contender for top three. To have two of the same three wines come forward in one of the finest and largest classes in successive years, one judged revealed and the other blind, proves that great wines ultimately triumph, regardless of method. On first vote all three scored equally, and on revote, there was just one vote between them, with Stella Bella Luminosa a stunning winner. All three are deserving – don’t miss them.
2023 Best Chardonnay of the Year in Australia
Stella Bella Wines Luminosa Chardonnay 2020, Margaret River
98 points | Price when tasted $70
From the Funder and Diamond vineyard, planted in Wandin East with the P58 clone in 1990. Hand picked and whole-bunch pressed to French puncheons (20 per cent new) for fermentation and 10 months' maturation before another six months in tank. Very bright. Aromas of stone fruits and lemon verbena together with some struck match, oyster shells and a little gently toasted hazelnut. There's a wonderful purity of fruit, too, on the superbly balanced, silken textured and tensile palate. At the risk of repeating myself, this is ‘grand cru’ quality Australian chardonnay but at a fraction of the price. – Philip Rich
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Top-rated chardonnay from the 2025 Companion
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Giant Steps
Bastard Hill Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Oakridge Wines
864 Single Block Release Drive Block Funder & Diamond Vineyard Chardonnay 2022
Yarra Valley -
Oakridge Wines
864 Henk Aqueduct Chardonnay 2022
Yarra Valley -
Penfolds
Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay 2021
Tasmania Tumbarumba Adelaide Hills -
Pooles Rock
Single Barrel Chardonnay 2023
Hunter Valley -
Seville Estate
Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Silkman Wines
Aged Release SILK Chardonnay 2017
Hunter Valley -
Tolpuddle Vineyard
Chardonnay 2022
Tasmania -
Yarra Yering
Carrodus Chardonnay 2022
Yarra Valley -
Bannockburn Vineyards
S.R.H. Chardonnay 2022
Geelong -
Bass Phillip
Premium Old Vines Chardonnay 2022
Gippsland -
Bicknell fc
Applecross Chardonnay 2022
Yarra Valley -
Bindi Wines
Quartz Chardonnay 2022
Macedon Ranges -
By Farr | Farr Rising
By Farr Chardonnay 2022
Geelong -
Canobolas Wines
Chardonnay 2022
Orange -
Clyde Park Vineyard
Single Block C Chardonnay 2022
Geelong -
Coldstream Hills
Deer Farm Vineyard Chardonnay 2022
Yarra Valley -
Dawson James
Chardonnay 2020
Tasmania -
Driftwood Estate
Single Site Chardonnay 2022
Margaret River -
Eastern Peake
Intrinsic Chardonnay 2021
Ballarat -
First Creek Wines
Single Vineyard Wondalma Chardonnay 2022
Tumbarumba -
Garagiste
Terre Maritime Chardonnay 2023
Mornington Peninsula -
Gentle Folk
Piccadilly Chardonnay 2022
Adelaide Hills -
Giant Steps
Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Giant Steps
Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Hay Shed Hill Wines
Margaret River Chardonnay 2022
Margaret River -
Kooyong
Farrago Single Block Chardonnay 2022
Mornington Peninsula -
Leeuwin Estate
Art Series Chardonnay 2021
Margaret River -
Lethbridge Wines
The Bartl Chardonnay 2021
Geelong -
Mac Forbes
Yarra Junction Village Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Margan Wines
Timbervines Chardonnay 2023
Broke Fordwich -
Mount Mary
Chardonnay 2022
Yarra Valley -
Mulline
Single Vineyard Sutherlands Creek Chardonnay 2023
Geelong -
Murdoch Hill
Rocket Chardonnay 2022
Adelaide Hills -
Pooles Rock
Soldier Settler Chardonnay 2023
Hunter Valley -
Pooley Wines
Elizabeth Anne Chardonnay 2022
Tasmania -
Pooley Wines
Cooinda Vale Chardonnay 2022
Tasmania -
Provenance Wines
Ballarat Chardonnay 2022
Ballarat -
Serrat
Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Sidewood Estate
Owen's Chardonnay 2022
Adelaide Hills -
Silkman Wines
Reserve Chardonnay 2022
Hunter Valley -
Silkman Wines
Aged Release Reserve Chardonnay 2017
Hunter Valley -
Silkman Wines
SILK Chardonnay 2022
Hunter Valley -
Singlefile Wines
The Vivienne Chardonnay 2021
Denmark -
Stella Bella Wines
Suckfizzle Chardonnay 2022
Margaret River -
Stella Bella Wines
Luminosa Chardonnay 2022
Margaret River -
Syrahmi
Garden of Earthy Delights Sur Lie Chardonnay 2021
Macedon Ranges -
Tyrrell’s Wines
Vat 47 Winemaker's Selection Chardonnay 2022
Hunter Valley -
Tyrrell’s Wines
HVD Chardonnay 2023
Hunter Valley -
Vasse Felix
Heytesbury Chardonnay 2022
Margaret River -
Yarra Yering
Chardonnay 2022
Yarra Valley -
Tyrrell’s Wines
Vat 63 Winemaker's Selection Chardonnay Semillon 2023
Hunter Valley
The 2023 Halliday Wine Companion is available now. Secure your copy of Australia's most comprehensive wine guide here – and at all good bookstores.
Learn more about chardonnay in our essential guide.
*This is an edited extract from the 2023 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Ned Goodwin MW, James Halliday, Erin Larkin, Jeni Port, Philip Rich and chief editor Tyson Stelzer.