2025 Byrne Farm Chardonnay

Jeff Byrne consistently nails the brief on high-altitude New South Wales Chardonnay. His sixth Byrne Farm release is arguably the best from this producer to date.

The fruit comes from 25-year-old vines sitting over 800 metres up the slopes of Mount Canobolas in Orange. A benchmark 2025 season delivered enough warm days to hit full phenological ripeness without frying the grapes' natural acidity.

Handpicked bunches were whole-bunch pressed straight into 500L French oak puncheons (30% new). It spent 10 months resting with monthly stirring, though Byrne deliberately blocked malolactic fermentation to keep the core razor-sharp.

This Chardonnay shows tart orchard fruit, snappy nectarine, and a distinct struck-match edge. It drinks beautifully right now, but has the bones to handle a decade in the cellar, if that's your thing.

95 points
"There are plenty of great Chardonnays around the country, but few marry quality and value as convincingly as this release from Byrne Farm 2025. It's an excellent drink that overdelivers in every sense. Take my money... Boom! If you're on the hunt for a benchmark Chardonnay that delivers serious value without stretching the budget, this Byrne Farm 2025 release makes an incredibly strong case."
- Q Wine Review