Luda Mala Chardonnay 2025

An outstanding debut from Luda Mala. This could very well be Australia’s best $35 Chardonnay. The fruit is dank, dense and detailed, with pomelo pith, lemon shortbread, yuzu and mandarin oil. It’s concentrated yet restrained, clean yet unapologetically unpolished, and clearly built by knowledgeable hands. As I’m writing this, it’s tightly wound (Feb 2026), a wee baby, really. The third glass will be the best, and I think it’s only going to get better with a few beats. And a decant. Made from 100% Gingin clone, it’s no surprise the acidity is abundant and framing, bringing power and salinity to match the impressive concentration of fruit. Lemon sorbet, kaffir lime leaf, warm concrete after summer rain, and a subtle flick of radish and fennel. The length is fabulous, driven and sustained. 

Cyndal Petty

Wine Critic at Winepilot

A hopeless romantic for wine and food, Cyndal is nearing 15 years in hospitality while still (just) under 30. A Chef-turned-Sommelier and award-winning wine professional, Cyndal recently left a Group Sommelier role where she curated seven wine lists across multiple venues and led the wine team to Gourmet Traveller Wine Bar of the Year—just months after opening. Now freelance, Cyndal is a wine consultant, event host, wine judge, and wine writer. Passionate about sharing wine’s story with the world, she brings a fresh voice and creative solutions to the industry. After studying and traveling through most of her 20s, she’s now based in WA’s southwest, proudly embracing her role as a WA coastal cowgirl.

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