{"product_id":"medhurst-yarra-valley-chardonnay-2025","title":"2025 Medhurst Yarra Valley Chardonnay | 96 Point Halliday Special Value Chardonnay","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e🔥 96 Point Yarra Valley Chardonnay | Absolutely Ridiculous Value at $37.50\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is exactly why I am so excited about the Medhurst wines.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhite peach. Citrus. Flint. Sea spray. Beautiful oak. Fine acidity. Serious length.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstate-Grown Yarra Valley Chardonnay | Precision, Purity \u0026amp; Exceptional Value\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA genuinely serious Yarra Valley Chardonnay for under $40. This is one of those wines that makes you wonder why you'd need to spend twice the money.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2025 has been awarded an outstanding \u003cstrong\u003e96 points by Philip Rich for Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e, who praised its white peach, lightly grilled nut and sea-spray characters, together with a palate that's tightly wound before opening beautifully with precision and length. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd the RRP?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e$37.50.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's the killer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not simply a good-value Chardonnay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt's a seriously good Chardonnay that happens to be ridiculously well priced.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHalliday's Philip Rich awarded the wine:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 POINTS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is entirely estate grown and was whole-bunch pressed into a combination of \u003cstrong\u003epuncheons, hogsheads and barriques, with just 18% new oak\u003c\/strong\u003e. Rich describes a wine with white peach, subtle grilled-nut complexity and a saline edge, before a palate that starts tightly coiled and gradually expands with impressive detail and length. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's an enormous review for a Chardonnay at this price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Medhurst Estate – Gruyere\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedhurst's vineyard sits at \u003cstrong\u003eGruyere in the heart of the Yarra Valley\u003c\/strong\u003e, on ancient mountain-derived soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 150-hectare property was planted to just \u003cstrong\u003e12.3 hectares of vines in 2000\u003c\/strong\u003e, with individual blocks deliberately positioned according to aspect, soil, exposure and variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVineyard elevations range from approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e130–208 metres.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a relatively small vineyard operation with an intense focus on site.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd that's showing in the wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brilliant, luminous pale green-gold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Immediately attractive. \u003cstrong\u003eWhite peach, citrus blossom, grapefruit and orange citrus\u003c\/strong\u003e combine with wet stone, sea spray, lightly grilled nuts and subtle flinty reduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e There's lovely flesh here without heaviness. \u003cstrong\u003eCrunchy peach, lemon curd and white nectarine\u003c\/strong\u003e form the core, framed by delicate spicy oak and a fine, almost talc-like acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTexture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beautifully judged. There's enough weight to make the wine satisfying, but the acidity and mineral character keep everything focused and energetic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine, detailed and seriously long, with citrus, stone fruit and mineral notes carrying right through. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is proper Yarra Valley Chardonnay.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRohan Smith – Medhurst Is Flying\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's another part of the Medhurst story that's worth paying attention to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRohan Smith took over as Head Winemaker in 2023.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHalliday Wine Companion specifically notes that there was significant expectation on Smith to continue the estate's trajectory after Simon Steele — and concludes simply:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Rohan has excelled.”\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd look at what's happening with these wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the 2026 Halliday Companion, \u003cstrong\u003eseven of eight Medhurst wines reviewed received gold-medal scores\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven more remarkably:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeven received Halliday's Special Value rosette.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat tells you something.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedhurst isn't just making excellent wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThey're mak\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eing excellent wine at prices people can actually afford.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Winemaking\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2025 was picked in the cool of the morning in February from a combination of \u003cstrong\u003eMendoza and I10V1 Chardonnay clones\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit was cooled overnight before pressing the following morning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe juice then spent approximately 24 hours in tank before being transferred to barrel \u003cstrong\u003ewith full solids for fermentation\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine underwent partial malolactic fermentation before maturation in predominantly seasoned oak, with only around:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e15–18% new oak.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat restraint matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe oak isn't the flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Chardonnay is.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt provides texture, spice and complexity while allowing the white peach, citrus and mineral characters to remain beautifully clear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Sweet Spot of Modern Yarra Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is exactly the style of Australian Chardonnay I want to drink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot overripe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot buttery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot drowning in oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd not so lean and acidic that the fruit disappears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstead you get:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhite Peach\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLemon \u0026amp; Grapefruit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCitrus Blossom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWet Stone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSea Spray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubtle Grilled Nuts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDelicate Spicy Oak\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFine, Talcy Acidity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's enough flesh to make it delicious now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut enough structure to make it interesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThat's the sweet spot.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnd Then There's the Price…\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is where Medhurst becomes very hard to beat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe winery currently lists the 2025 Chardonnay at \u003cstrong\u003e$40\u003c\/strong\u003e, while Halliday recorded a tasting price of \u003cstrong\u003e$38\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour RRP:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e$37.50.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96-point\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eestate-grown\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYarra Valley Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003efrom one of Halliday's \u003cstrong\u003eTop 100 Australian Wineries\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ethat is extraordinary buying. Medhurst was ranked \u003cstrong\u003e#64 in Halliday's Top 100 Wineries 2025\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnd This Is Why I Love These Entry-Level Medhurst Wines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCalling this “entry level” almost feels wrong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause there's nothing entry-level about the quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is exactly what makes the Medhurst range so exciting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe prices are modest.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe wines aren't.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt $37.50, you're getting the sort of precision, fruit quality and sophistication that I'd normally expect to see considerably further up the price ladder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd that's precisely why these wines are so easy to recommend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoast chicken\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrilled snapper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeared scallops\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKingfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrawn linguine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePork katsu\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoreton Bay bugs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMushroom risotto\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrilled calamari\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComté\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOr forget the food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBig Chardonnay glass. Slight chill. Done.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCellaring\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHalliday's review gives the wine a drinking horizon through:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2032.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's already going to be delicious young, but the combination of acidity, fruit intensity and restrained oak gives it the structure to develop beautifully over the medium term.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'd happily drink it over the next:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e5–7 years.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy We Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an absolute no-brainer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou're getting:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100% Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll estate-grown fruit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGruyere, Yarra Valley\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhole-bunch pressed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePuncheons, hogsheads \u0026amp; barriques\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOnly 18% new oak\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFine, precise natural acidity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedhurst – Halliday Top 100 Winery\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd the RRP?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e$37.50.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's outstanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are plenty of very good Australian Chardonnays around $35–$40.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThere aren't many 96-point Chardonnays at $37.50 that taste this serious.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's the difference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e2025 Medhurst Yarra Valley Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e has everything I want from modern Yarra Chardonnay — \u003cstrong\u003ewhite peach, citrus, flint, subtle oak, texture, acidity and genuine length\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd it's under forty dollars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePure. Flinty. Textural. Precise. Ridiculous value.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points Halliday. Estate Grown. Yarra Valley. $37.50 RRP.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e👉 This is a six-pack wine all day long. One of the strongest-value Chardonnays I've seen at this price and a brilliant example of why Medhurst should be firmly on everyone's radar.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Medhurst Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52529610948910,"sku":null,"price":37.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0950\/5010\/5134\/files\/2024MedhurstEstateChardonnay.png?v=1786933635","url":"https:\/\/liquidvibe.com.au\/products\/medhurst-yarra-valley-chardonnay-2025","provider":"liquidvibe.com.au","version":"1.0","type":"link"}