Description
This is a cutting-edge Australian Chardonnay from the Adelaide Hills. The relatively cool climate is ideal for producing wines that, while they retain the classic Aussie exuberance, are backed by a crisp acidity and understated oak. Harvey Steiman of Wine Spectator wrote, in a recent article, "Increasingly, the best Chardonnays are homing in on a less oak-driven, more minerally style. Look for bottlings from Margaret River and Adelaide Hills."

This wine was made by the McGuigan brothers, Brian and Neil, who are among Australia's most prominent winemakers. They made their name working for some of the country's top estates, and now have their own winery in the Adelaide Hills. Brian cut his teeth working at Penfolds, home to the legendary Grange Shiraz, and chose to name this wine after his first boss (and the creator of Grange) Max Schubert.

Schubert Estate is made from the pick of the Chardonnay grapes in the Adelaide Hills, a third of which were fermented in French oak, then matured for seven months on its lees in the same barrels. This portion of the wine was then blended back with the remainder, which had been fermented in stainless steel. This creates a wine with a rich, buttery texture and a fabulously rich yet subtle oaky character - much like Grand Cru Chablis.