Chardonnay, Merlot
Chardonnay is planted in almost every region in the world and makes a wide variety of wine styles from light-bodied, crisp and unoaked through to full-bodied, complex barrel matured versions. Chardonnay is an adaptable variety and can be grown in cool regions as well as warm areas. It is a productive, early budding and early ripening variety.
Chardonnay first came to Australia in the 1920s but didn’t find popularity until the 1970s. Grown all across the country the cool climate versions (like found in the Yarra Valley and Tasmania) tend to be lighter in body with higher acidity and more subtle flavours. Warm climate versions (found in Margaret River, Hunter Valley and the Adelaide Hills) tend to be more full-bodied with richer, riper fruit and bolder flavours.
Merlot in Australia is not a variety you will often see unblended, until recently. It is most often used to add suppleness and mid-palate to Cabernet’s stern, serious structure. In Australia, Merlot is now achieving considerable recognition as a varietal wine. Merlot blended wines are available from the warmer inland regions, such as Riverina, Riverland and Murray Darling. Single varietal Merlot from the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale produces a softer dry plummy wine. Whereas the cooler climates such as the Yarra Valley and Margaret River tends to take on more savoury characters with firmer tannins.
It is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux, France where planting has rapidly expanded throughout the world in the last decade. Merlot is adaptable to most soils, is relatively simple to cultivate and is a naturally high yielding. In St Emilion and Pomerol, it withstands the moist clay-rich soils far better than Cabernet, producing opulently rich, plummy wines. Le Pin, Pétrus and Clinet are examples of some of the best (and most expensive) Merlot based wines.
Merlot is now grown in virtually all wine growing countries and is particularly successful in New Zealand, California, Chile and Northern Italy. New Zealand's Hawkes Bay is producing outstanding Merlot-based blends, especially from the Gimblett Gravels.
Chardonnay first came to Australia in the 1920s but didn’t find popularity until the 1970s. Grown all across the country the cool climate versions (like found in the Yarra Valley and Tasmania) tend to be lighter in body with higher acidity and more subtle flavours. Warm climate versions (found in Margaret River, Hunter Valley and the Adelaide Hills) tend to be more full-bodied with richer, riper fruit and bolder flavours.
Merlot in Australia is not a variety you will often see unblended, until recently. It is most often used to add suppleness and mid-palate to Cabernet’s stern, serious structure. In Australia, Merlot is now achieving considerable recognition as a varietal wine. Merlot blended wines are available from the warmer inland regions, such as Riverina, Riverland and Murray Darling. Single varietal Merlot from the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale produces a softer dry plummy wine. Whereas the cooler climates such as the Yarra Valley and Margaret River tends to take on more savoury characters with firmer tannins.
It is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux, France where planting has rapidly expanded throughout the world in the last decade. Merlot is adaptable to most soils, is relatively simple to cultivate and is a naturally high yielding. In St Emilion and Pomerol, it withstands the moist clay-rich soils far better than Cabernet, producing opulently rich, plummy wines. Le Pin, Pétrus and Clinet are examples of some of the best (and most expensive) Merlot based wines.
Merlot is now grown in virtually all wine growing countries and is particularly successful in New Zealand, California, Chile and Northern Italy. New Zealand's Hawkes Bay is producing outstanding Merlot-based blends, especially from the Gimblett Gravels.
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Tyrrell's Old Winery range is named after its historic winery in the Hunter Valley, built in 1863 for the first vintage in 1864. Medium bodied with a generously flavoured palate leaning toward a white peach/citrus flavour spectrum and a clean, crisp ... Learn MoreTYRRELL'S 'OLD WINERY' CHARDONNAY 2019$9.99 Per item -
As with all Zilzie wines, this represents outstanding value and superb quality for the price. Perfect every day wine from one of the oldest wine producing families in Australia. ... Learn MoreZILZIE 'SELECTION 23' MERLOT 2019$11.99 Per item -
As with all Zilzie wines, this represents outstanding value and superb quality for the price. Perfect every day wine from one of the oldest wine producing families in Australia. ... Learn MoreZILZIE 'SELECTION 23' MERLOT 2018$11.99 Per item -
A lovely fresh, fruit-forward unoaked Chardonnay. The nose shows aromas of grapefruit, melons, apples and nectarines, with some grassy notes. Refreshing and crisp with nice complexity and minerality. The grapes are harvested early morning when the temperature is cool. Then ... Learn MoreMIKE PRESS 'SINGLE VINEYARD' CHARDONNAY 2018$12.99 Per item -
A lovely fresh, fruit-forward unoaked Chardonnay. The nose shows aromas of grapefruit, melons, apples and nectarines, with some grassy notes. Refreshing and crisp with nice complexity and minerality. The grapes are harvested early morning when the temperature is cool. Then ... Learn MoreMIKE PRESS 'SINGLE VINEYARD' CHARDONNAY 2017$12.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Lifted red berries, mint, stone fruits and sweet cherries. The palate features plum, spice and forest fruit flavours balanced by chocolate and vanilla oak notes, finishing with good length and soft fine tannins. Outstanding value! "This shows a lot of “ ... Learn MoreNORFOLK RISE MERLOT 2016$12.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Giesen's Estate Merlot is a wine that's very approachable in youth and suitable for any occasion. The fruit is sourced from a premium Gisborne vineyard, producing a Merlot with good fruit intensity and a touch of complexity through restrained use ... Learn MoreGIESEN MERLOT 2018$13.99 Per item -
Giesen's Estate Chardonnay is wine that's very approachable in youth and suitable for any occasion. The fruit is sourced from a premium Hawke’s Bay vineyard, producing a Chardonnay with good fruit intensity and a touch of complexity through lees ... Learn MoreGIESEN CHARDONNAY 2018$13.99 Per item -
Pale yellow in colour with a restrained nose of stone fruit and white peach, struck match and notes of creamy oak. The palate is bold and upfront with a burst of peach, guava and melon flavours and a rich and ... Learn MoreELEPHANT IN THE ROOM CHARDONNAY 2019$14.99 Per item -
A ripe nose of stone fruits and lemon peel, with subtle cinnamon, nuts and toast aromas. The wine is ripe yet super-fresh and mouth-filling. An excellent accompaniment to richer or creamier dishes as well being wonderful on it’s own. ... Learn MoreROAD TO ENLIGHTENMENT CHARDONNAY 2018$14.99 Per item -
12 months in tight grain French and American oak. The nose has primarily lifted strawberry and plum fruit characters. Medium bodied with an abundance of the primary characters carried through from the nose of plum and strawberry there is also a ... Learn MoreTHORN CLARKE 'SANDPIPER' MERLOT 2017$14.99 Per item -
The Zilzie Regional Collection showcases textbook examples of varietal & regional expressions whilst being excellent value for money. This delicious chardonnay exhibits typically Yarra Valley aromas of citrus, peach and nectarine with subtle vanillin and barrel fermentation characters. The palate shows ... Learn MoreZILZIE 'YARRA VALLEY' CHARDONNAY 2017$14.99 Per item -
Pale yellow in colour with a restrained nose of stone fruit and white peach, struck match and notes of creamy oak. The palate is bold and upfront with a burst of peach, guava and melon flavours and a rich and ... Learn MoreELEPHANT IN THE ROOM CHARDONNAY 2018$14.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The United Cellars 'Varietal' Range brings you the most popular varieties, made by some of the best and most-respected winemakers for an unbeatable price. Designed for immediate enjoyment, the Varietal Range promises to provide a quality wine to suit every ... Learn More -
The Dragonfly range from Willow Bridge is consistently one of the best value set of wines in Australia. Incredible quality for the price! Lifted biscuit oak integrated with lemon zest and varietal white peach aromas. A core of intense stonefruit ... Learn MoreWILLOW BRIDGE 'DRAGONFLY' CHARDONNAY 2019$17.00 Per itemOut of stock -
A richly textured Chardonnay. Lovely aromas of fresh, toasty French oak with light buttery characters (reminiscent of a freshly baked almond croissant!). Has those ‘baked pastry’ characters along with the peachy/stone fruit flavours typical of Chardonnay. There’s a ... Learn MoreWEST CAPE HOWE 'OLD SCHOOL' CHARDONNAY 2019$18.99 Per itemOut of stock -
A richly textured Chardonnay. Lovely aromas of fresh, toasty French oak with light buttery characters (reminiscent of a freshly baked almond croissant!). Has those ‘baked pastry’ characters along with the peachy/stone fruit flavours typical of Chardonnay. There’s a ... Learn MoreWEST CAPE HOWE 'OLD SCHOOL' CHARDONNAY 2018$18.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The ‘baby brother’ to the famous Vat 47 Chardonnay. Excellent drinking on release and will develop in complexity with short term bottle age. A citrus nose with a slight hint of oak. A weighted palate that is generous and has the ... Learn MoreTYRRELL'S HUNTER VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2018$19.99 Per item -
Yarra Valley Chardonnay done very well under the watch of Punt Road's Tim Shand. This is such an exceptional Chardonnay at the price - fruit quality, balance, refreshment and extraordinary length of flavour. Notes of lime pith and stone fruit. ... Learn MorePUNT ROAD CHARDONNAY 2018$21.99 Per item -
The high altitude, age and aspect of Orange and in particular the Koomooloo vineyard has ideal conditions for producing a Pinot Noir of great complexity. The Conductor wears a medium colour with a bright red hue and smells of rich ... Learn MorePHILIP SHAW 'THE CONDUCTOR' MERLOT 2016$22.00 Per itemOut of stock -
"This is the finest value Chardonnay I have tasted in the last 12 months, not just from Australia, but from anywhere on earth" - Matthew Jukes The Lane Vineyard Block Series show true varietal character and the influence of the terroir ... Learn MoreTHE LANE BLOCK 1A ADELAIDE HILLS CHARDONNAY 2018$22.99 Per itemOut of stock -
An amazing French Chardonnay, great value for money, with aromas of white flowers, ripe fruit and a hint of honey. A generous yet well-balanced mouthfeel with fresh stone fruit characters and a hint of oak. Perfect for every day of ... Learn MoreLE VERSANT 'VIN DE PAYS D'OC' CHARDONNAY 2018$22.99 Per itemOut of stock -
An amazing French Chardonnay, great value for money, with aromas of white flowers, ripe fruit and a hint of honey. A generous yet well-balanced mouthfeel with fresh stone fruit characters and a hint of oak. ... Learn MoreLE VERSANT 'VIN DE PAYS D'OC' CHARDONNAY 2017$22.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Fruit for this wine was selected from Windowries original planting of Chardonnay. The block was planted in 1988. Aromas of white peach, white flower and grilled almonds are complimented well with seasoned oak spice and minerality. The palate is textural and ... Learn MoreWINDOWRIE 'FAMILY RESERVE' CHARDONNAY 2018$24.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Excellent example of why Margaret River is renowned for elegant Chardonnay. Very lifted, elegant and complex nose with honey nougat, green pineapple, lemon pith, lovely hints of nectarine, ginger, sage, custard tart crust, almond meal and cedar. A light, fine ... Learn MoreVASSE FELIX 'FILIUS' CHARDONNAY 2018$24.99 Per item -
Made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. The house was founded in 1898 in the esteemed Burgundy region of northern France, where their wines gained immediate and long-lasting success. Today the 6th generation of the family leads the winery, producing elegant sparkling Cremant for ... Learn MoreHENRI ROUSSEAU BdB CHARDONNAY BRUT NV$24.99 Per item -
Selectively hand-harvested, low cropped fruit from the Dixons Creek Vineyard in the Yarra Valley. Smooth and creamy with a luscious core of stone fruit, pear and apple, it’s scented with delicate floral notes, grapefruit and charcuterie, creamy complexity, coriander ... Learn MoreTOOLANGI CHARDONNAY 2018$26.99 Per item -
Restricted malo‐lactic fermentation, battonage fortnightly to add complexity and texture through “sur lie” whilst retaining purity of character and freshness. Fermented and matured in 1/3 new 228LFrench oak barriques for 10 months. Aromas of white fruit & florals balanced with subtle oak ... Learn MoreDOMAINE NATURALISTE FLORIS CHARDONNAY 2017$29.00 Per item -
Baby brother to the “Art Series” Chardonnay which tends to take centre stage, but this Prelude is a cracker as a wine with finesse and balance modestly carrying all the hallmarks of the variety and the region. ... Learn MoreLEEUWIN ESTATE 'PRELUDE' CHARDONNAY 2018$29.99 Per item -
From a premium site wedged between Yeringberg and Oakridge, Warramunda's wines are made by Ben Haines, one of the best up and coming young winemakers in Australia. The wine opens with a beautiful perfume of white flowers, stone fruits and ... Learn MoreWARRAMUNDA ESTATE 'LIV ZAK' CHARDONNAY 2018$29.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Baby brother to the “Art Series” Chardonnay which tends to take centre stage, but this Prelude is a cracker as a wine with finesse and balance modestly carrying all the hallmarks of the variety and the region. ... Learn MoreLEEUWIN ESTATE 'PRELUDE' CHARDONNAY 2017$29.99 Per itemOut of stock -
"The Yarra Valley label is the entry into our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. ‘Yarra Valley’ is a blend of all declassified barrels from each of our single vineyard sites. They represent a snap shot from across the valley and ... Learn MoreMAC FORBES YARRA VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2018$30.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Château de Lachassagne is an exceptional place, located in the very south of Burgundy, with a unique view over the Saône Valley. It is a 62 hectares propriety, totally surrounded by small walls called ’"Clos". A bright, elegant expression ... Learn More -
Winner of 5 Gold Medals; Gold at the 2017 Rutherglen Wine Show, 2017 and 2018 Tumbarumba Wine Show, 2018 Canberra National Wine Show and 2018 NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show. Hailing from the high-altitude region of Tumbarumba, this is a full bodied white wine from a ... Learn MoreHUNGERFORD HILL TUMBARUMBA CHARDONNAY 2016$34.99 Per item -
This is classy Chardonnay. It's tight, mineral and lean yet, bright, vibrant, powerful, complex and long. Aromas of grapefruit, melon and stone fruit with hints of struck match an minerality. The palate is rich and vibrant, yet fresh. There are ... Learn MoreFIGHTING GULLY ROAD CHARDONNAY 2017$34.99 Per item -
Lavishly flavoured yet supple, this powerhouse rendition should appeal to many a Merlot devotee. A complex array of ripe fruit and oak on the nose. Plum, coffee and cedar combined with subtle notes of dark chocolate and cedar. Complex layers ... Learn MoreKATNOOK ESTATE MERLOT 2016$34.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The high altitude, age and aspect of Orange and in particular the Koomooloo vineyard has ideal conditions for producing a Chardonnay of great complexity. No.11 displays a light, bright straw colour with a green hue which is a sign of ... Learn MorePHILIP SHAW 'NO. 11' CHARDONNAY 2017$35.00 Per item -
Made by Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the year 2017, Dave Bicknell. This is a powerful chardonnay, classically styled, oatmeal and oak, peach and roasted cedar wood; it announces itself and it then stays the course. There’s a quartz-like character and ... Learn MoreOAKRIDGE LOCAL VINEYARD SERIES 'BARKALA' CHARDONNAY 2016$35.00 Per itemOut of stock -
On the nose, lemon, passionfruit, grilled pineapple and guava. Nectarine, papaya and crisp lemon-tangerine notes are complimented by touch of spice and complexing minerality on the palate. ... Learn MoreLA CREMA MONTEREY CHARDONNAY 2018$37.99 Per itemOut of stock -
“You would have to go a long way to find three more open-hearted and utterly committed winemakers; the world is their oyster, their ambitions unlimited.” James Halliday. Aromas of grapefruit and nectarine with pleasing mineral lift of struck match lead ... Learn MoreONANNON MORNINGTON PENINSULA CHARDONNAY 2018$37.99 Per itemOut of stock
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