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

When it comes to the best of the best, provenance is paramount. And taste memory utmost, especially when tasting Heytesbury made under Virginia Willcock’s tutelage (in ’26 she clocks up 20 years as chief winemaker at Vasse Felix, during which time she has transformed chardonnay in the region and beyond). Her influence is here in this wine, and ’23 will be known as one of the finest. It's hard to explain because it’s still very tightly wound, yet it has depth and volume. Oscillating between power and refinement, intensity and pure drinking pleasure. Grapefruit, Meyer lemon, a crushed oyster shell note, flinty, moreish sulphides, texture, mouth-watering, pure acidity and so much more besides. Nothing else to say other than that this is outstanding. – Jane Faulkner
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The best chardonnays from the 2026 Companion
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Vasse Felix
Heytesbury Chardonnay 2023
Margaret River -
Giaconda
Estate Vineyard Chardonnay 2022
Beechworth -
Bannockburn Vineyards
S.R.H. Chardonnay 2023
Geelong -
Oakridge
864 Henk Aqueduct Block Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Oakridge
864 Funder & Diamond Drive Block Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Paul Nelson Wines
Loam Chardonnay 2023
Denmark -
Silkman Wines
SILK Chardonnay 2023
Hunter Valley -
Tolpuddle Vineyard
Chardonnay 2023
Tasmania -
Toolangi
F Block Chardonnay 2024
Yarra Valley -
Tyrrell’s Wines
Vat 47 Winemaker's Selection Chardonnay 2023
Hunter Valley -
Battles
The Burnside Chardonnay 2023
Margaret River -
Bindi Wines
Quartz Chardonnay 2023
Macedon Ranges -
Canobolas Wines
Chardonnay 2023
Orange -
Clyde Park Vineyard
Single Block C Chardonnay 2023
Geelong -
Coldstream Hills
Reserve Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Dappled Wines
Les Vergers Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Delamere Vineyards
Block 3 Chardonnay 2022
Tasmania -
Garagiste
Terre Maritime Chardonnay 2024
Mornington Peninsula -
Gentle Folk
Piccadilly Chardonnay 2023
Adelaide Hills -
Giant Steps
Bastard Hill Chardonnay 2024
Yarra Valley -
Giant Steps
Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2024
Yarra Valley -
Hoddles Creek Estate
Syberia Chardonnay 2022
Yarra Valley -
Hoddles Creek Estate
1er Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Holyman
Chardonnay 2023
Tasmania -
House of Arras
Museum Release Blanc de Blancs 2006
Sparkling | Tasmania -
Keith Tulloch Wine
Field of Mars Block 4 Chardonnay 2023
Hunter Valley -
Kooyong
Faultline Single Block Chardonnay 2023
Mornington Peninsula -
Leeuwin Estate
Art Series Chardonnay 2022
Margaret River -
Levantine Hill
Katherine's Paddock Chardonnay 2019
Yarra Valley -
Medhurst
Reserve Chardonnay 2024
Yarra Valley -
Mount Mary
Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Mulline
Single Vineyard Sutherlands Creek Chardonnay 2024
Geelong -
Mulline
Single Vineyard Portarlington Chardonnay 2024
Geelong -
Nocturne Wines
Forrest Vineyard Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2023
Margaret River -
Oakridge
The Apex Twin Chardonnay 2022
Yarra Valley -
Oakridge
Vineyard Series Henk Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Patrick Sullivan Wines
Ada River Chardonnay 2024
Gippsland -
Penfolds
Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay 2022
Tumbarumba Tasmania Adelaide Hills -
Pierro
Chardonnay 2023
Margaret River -
Provenance Wines
Henty Chardonnay 2023
Henty -
Savaterre
Chardonnay 2023
Beechworth -
Serrat
Chardonnay 2024
Yarra Valley -
Shaw + Smith
Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay 2023
Adelaide Hills -
Stella Bella Wines
Luminosa Chardonnay 2023
Margaret River -
Stella Bella Wines
Suckfizzle Chardonnay 2023
Margaret River -
Toolangi
F Block Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Tyrrell’s Wines
Single Vineyard SFOV Chardonnay 2023
Hunter Valley -
Wantirna Estate
Isabella Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Xanadu Wines
Reserve Chardonnay 2023
Margaret River -
Xanadu Wines
Stevens Road Chardonnay 2023
Margaret River -
Yarra Yering
Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley -
Yering Station
Reserve Chardonnay 2023
Yarra 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.