Winmark Hunter Valley 72 Chardonnay 2022 

While the Hunter Valley is mainly known for Semillon, its Chardonnays should never be overlooked. The Winmark ‘72’ is the kind of wine that leaves an impression, well after you’ve finished the final sip. The fruit sings, with intense characters of grapefruit, papaya, toast, pastry and marzipan, and the palate is quite full bodied, zingy and zippy, with a feeling on the tongue like sherbet. The flavours linger and the wine eats up spice and chilli and pairs tremendously well with cheese or creamy pasta sauces. I reckon it has the bones to last at least another five to eight years.