It’s been a full day of modern Australian Chardonnay here on Australian Wine and Drinks Review (and a big year for Chardonnay on the site). Why not lob up a surprise packet Orange Chardonnay to finish off our Wednesday, hey? I’ve had a few of these Mayfield Vineyard wines over the past year, and none have quite hit the heights of this Mayfield Vineyard Thomas Chardonnay 2022. Sourced from the Mayfield Vineyard planted in 1999, this Chardonnay spent 11 months in new and old oak with 3/4 of the blend going through malo. There’s a wonderful mix of brisk lemon, banana cream and citrus with this filigreed white peach line that fans out wonderfully – you still get that pristine, bracing Orange acidity, but it just fills out so well through the palate. Enjoyment plus and a real success for Mayfield.

Best drinking: good now and for up to ten years. 18.5/20, 94/100. 12.5%, $65. Mayfield Vineyard website. Would I buy it? Worth sharing a bottle, at least.