Moss Wood 2020 Chardonnay

If you like your chardonnays bold and outspoken then you've come to the right place. An Australian classic, this is a complex, rich, chardonnay that can either be enjoyed in its voluptuous youth or cellared with confidence. Aged on lees in French barriques, this has a panoply of flavours from ripe stone fruits to nuts, brioche and toasty oak. There is some lively freshness to the fore but it is the complexity that is compelling in a wine that demands to be enjoyed with food; preferably roast pork with all the trimmings. Already sold out at cellar door, but still available in retail outlets. Be quick. $85. www.mosswood.com.au/ 

Montalto 2020 Pennon Hill Pinot Noir

 

Wow! There's some serious cool-climate Mornington Peninsula pinot quality here at a very fair price. If you are looking for a few bottles of accessible pinot for Christmas enjoyment then look no further. It's been a couple of vintages since I took a look at the Pennon Hill, but the quality remains outstanding. This is an attractively perfumed wine, determinedly varietal with a lovely balance of fruit, herbal and mushroom/deli characters. There are hints of spice, too. Pair with chicken or duck dishes and be amazed by the softness and completeness for just $34.  https://montalto.com.au/

Cullen 2020 Kevin John Chardonnay

 

One of my favourite wines of the year; predictably excellent. The 2020 Kevin John is made from fruit grown in a vineyard planted in 1976. The vines are certified biodynamic and the fruit was whole bunch basket pressed into 50% new puncheons. Naturally fermented, the wine spent six months in barrel and has had no fining, filtration or cold stabilisation. It is wonderfully complex, and decidedly delicious. 98 points from me. $150. www.cullenwines.com.au/