The 2017 Chardonnay from Hirsch Hill is a real marvel - beautifully balanced, restrained and elegant, showing mouth-watering citrus characters and ripe stone fruit. The nose has a touch of smokiness to it, mixed with roasted hazelnut and vanilla cream. The acidity holds it all together, wonderfully woven and tasting of grapefruit. Great stuff.

Founded in 1998, Hirsch Hill Estate is owned by the Hirsch Family and located in the cooler northern part of the utterly picturesque Yarra Valley. Wine wasn't their first passion, but they've taken to it quickly! The vineyard is part of a horse stud, where the Hirsch’s breed racehorses that are trained at Caulfield. What a combo for Race Week! When they are not breeding and racing horses, they explore new vineyard practices and engage some of the regions top winemakers to fashion their wines. The Hirsch’s have 12.5 hectares of vines planted mostly to Pinot Noir, but also Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet. All the grapes are estate grown and hand harvested, ensuring full control over the entire winemaking process. In the last few years winemaking duties have been carried by local legend Rob Dolan. His hands-on approach to winemaking is a perfect fit for the family and the estate. The wines go from strength to strength, and are really coming into their own with recent vintages. Modern wines, with a focus on freshness and clarity of fruit, these are true examples of Yarra Valley elegance.