Ranked #1 2023 Chardonnay from Orange, NSW (The Real Review 2025)

97 Points, Halliday Wine Companion: "Sourced from deep red ferrosol soils. Some wines require time and the peace and serenity of place to hear their voice. This is such a wine. It is not shouting for attention, instead, it's telling an age-old story of the trickling river streams, deep iron oxide soils and the under-vine make-up of a special place. Fresh linen, lotus flower and grapefruit pulp. An earthy celeriac and artichoke pull towards the crystalline salinity of quartz and scallop shell. Full mlf has tamed its natural quivering acidity and allowed for a horchata creaminess. A wine that might be passed by but, for those that revere wines of earthly spirit and finesse, this is utterly glorious." - Shanteh Wale, August 2025

ABOUT CANOBOLAS WINES

Established in ’86 by the Smith family after an extensive search for the perfect site which was subsequently planted to chardonnay, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon. The vines are dry-grown, gaining strength from the free-draining clay loam derived from basalt soils. ’22 saw the Mattick family gain ownership of Canobolas Wines and they have instilled a holistic approach both in the vineyard and winery, with minimal intervention at the core, allowing the wines to express nuance of site and fruit purity. The resulting wines are those of power and grace, though the chardonnay is the firm standout.