Wow factor: There is a growing sense that Australian chardonnay is among the best value of its type in the world. Pic: Getty Images
When Justin Taylor got married, he remembers being toasted with a glass of South Australian chardonnay – rich, buttery and drenched in oaky vanilla.
Compare that with the chardonnay Justin and his wife opened recently to celebrate a quarter-century of marriage: dry, full of fruit intensity but also subtly complex – elements he reckons sum up the evolution of Aussie chardy and its place in the world.
As a third-generation member of the Clare Valley’s Taylor family charged with the role of taking their award-winning wines to the world, Justin is well placed to chart that evolution in style and the confidence with which our chardonnay moves on the world stage.
Confidence might just be the driving force – enough confidence in the quality of our grapes and our winemaking to celebrate regional character, and deliver chardonnays epitomised by freshness, fruit and crisp acidity.
The result is a growing sense that Australian chardonnay is among the best value of its type in the world – even competing with Burgundy on quality in many cases but without the price tag associated with the best of the French.
Taylors Wine vineyard in the Clare Valley. Pic supplied, as appeared in The Australian
Critics and customers agree. At the annual and upmarket Chardonnay du Monde festival in Burgundy this year, Australia had two entries in the top 10 judged blind by some of the world’s leading critics, both of which were wines from Taylors.
Meanwhile, Justin has found some very willing buyers to take the family’s chardonnay to some unlikely places.
“We’re so well-known in red wines, especially cabernet sauvignon, but we’re ticking up all the time in white wines, and particularly in chardonnay,” Justin tells us.
“In a few of our markets we’re doing fantastically well – like Canada; it feels like we’re pushing against an open door with Donald Trump sort of alienating all the Canadians, and it’s our chardonnay leading the charge, almost outselling our cab-sav and our shiraz.
“It’s been a wonderful journey for us to see our chardonnays get so much respect.”
One of the two chardonnays ranked so highly by the judges in France was the 2025 Taylors Jaraman Adelaide Hills/Clare Valley Chardonnay, part of this week’s special offer case from The Australian Wine Club.
2025 Taylors Jaraman Adelaide Hills/Clare Valley Chardonnay. Pic supplied, as appeared in The Australian
The Jaraman is into double figures for the number of gold medals it’s won, while another wine in our mixed dozen, the 2025 Howard Vineyard Amos Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, has 96 points from Wine Orbit and 92 from the Halliday Wine Companion.
Meanwhile, the 2025 Plantagenet York Great Southern Chardonnay has 94 points from Ray Jordan and the 2023 Leogate Malabar Reserve Hunter Valley Chardonnay has 93 points from Wine Orbit.
Perhaps it’s no surprise the judges in France were wowed by the Taylors Jaraman offering, for it’s almost a “best of the best”, as Justin notes.
“Really good wines are so much about the second sip, and what drags you in for that second mouthful,” he says. “With the Clare Valley, you get this sort of lifted, almost lemon zest on the front palate, and then you get these white fruit and almost tropical mango flavours out of the Adelaide Hills. It’s just a really interesting glass of wine.”
Taylors Jaraman Adelaide Hills Clare Valley Chardonnay 2025
You’ll probably grab this straight from the fridge and pour a glass to enjoy a nose of star fruit and citrus, some orange pith, melon, nectarine and spice. But let it warm in the glass for just a few minutes and the palate’s complexity delivers ripe nectarine, mandarin, pineapple and sweet citrus, with fresh acid and a rich minerality. Eleven gold medals and a trophy. 14% alc, RRP $28 a bottle.
SPECIALS $24.99 a bottle in any mixed dozen; $24.99 a bottle in chardonnay dozen.
Plantagenet York Great Southern Chardonnay 2025
If a white wine could be described as well-to-do, it might be this. From a nose of citrus, butter, nougat, almond meal and vanilla to the rich mouthfeel and silky texture, it’s not shy in showing off its pedigree. Expect nutmeg, vanilla, melon and peach in the mouth and a long, lingering finish. 94 points, Ray Jordan. 14% alc, RRP $45 a bottle.
SPECIALS $39.99 a bottle in any mixed dozen; $24.99 a bottle in chardonnay dozen.
Howard Vineyard Amos Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2025
Balance is everything here, starting with a fresh, vibrant nose offering pineapple, green apple, lemon, ripe melon and creamy vanilla. The pineapple and green apple continue through the palate, sprayed with zingy acidity, some floral notes and a long, refreshing finish. A bit of ageing will add even more layers. 96 points, Wine Orbit. 13% alc, RRP $60 a bottle.
SPECIALS $54.99 a bottle in any mixed dozen; $24.99 a bottle in chardonnay dozen.
Leogate Malabar Reserve Hunter Valley Chardonnay 2023
One critic called this “simple but satisfying”, and that might seem harsh, but we know what was meant: aromas of lime, pink lady apple, lemon peel and lemon cheesecake followed by a palate of lemon sherbet, peach, orange pith and woody spice. Every element gets the chance to shine. 93 points, Wine Orbit. 13% alc, RRP $38 a bottle.
SPECIALS $35.99 a bottle in any mixed dozen; $24.99 a bottle in chardonnay dozen.
CHARDONNAY DOZEN Three bottles of each wine above for $24.99. SAVE $213.
Order online or phone 1300 765 359 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm AEST and quote ‘ACCJ’. Deals are available only while stocks last. The Australian Wine Club is a commercial partnership with Laithwaites Wine, LIQP770016550. Stockhead is partnering with The Australian Wine Club on this offer.
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