Southern Light Vineyards Ghostgum Vineyard Chardonnay 2024

From an east-facing vineyard first planted in Main Ridge in 1990. A very bright green gold. A complex melange of just-ripened nectarine, gently grilled cashew, lemon grass and light sea spray scents. The palate is textured and chalky, with a very fine thread of acidity running through the wine. Will age gracefully over the next five to eight years. 96+ points Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion

This comes from the Mornington Peninsula in a vintage of tiny yields as a result of the weather conditions in spring impacting on flowering and fruit set. It’s an impressive wine having said all that, with excellent depth of fruit showing on the palate, which has a slightly cashew, peachy character about it. It also has good acidity, which helps define the palate and prolong a sustained finish. Despite the fact that it didn’t have malolactic fermentation, it has good palate richness as a result of it being kept on full lees for about twelve months. Drink 2026-2034. 95 points Ray Jordan