The Lane Vineyard has been the custodian of an enviable piece of pristine Adelaide Hills terroir since the first vines were planted in 1993. Sitting 450m high atop the rolling hills adjacent the Onkaparinga Valley, the vineyards enjoy the warm days and cool nights that the Adelaide Hills Wine Region is so famous for.

Fresh, vibrant and textural. A contemporary cool-climate Chardonnay displaying orange blossom, grapefruit and green apple with a crunchy and flinty finish.

From the estate vineyard east of the Hahndorf township in the central Adelaide Hills, a mix of blocks, aspects and clones provide for a collective, best-on-ground expression of contemporary, cool-climate Chardonnay. Hills specific detail here brings to the fore white stone fruit and apple orchard blossom characters – nasal and palate – with a faint suggestion of lime in the shadows. Underneath these attractive top-notes, there’s a complex flavour stream, crunchy new-season apples and subtle baking spices – almost like liquid apple crumble – with a compatible, gently creamy finishing texture to round out a deliciously crafted, satisfyingly moreish wine. Tasted: June 2023; Drink: 2023 - 2027; Price: $30.00; Rating: 94 Points; Tony Love

Pale straw green in the glass and aromatics that bared a Thai influence – lemongrass, fresh lime and hints of sweet basil mingled with elderflower and those quintessential Adelaide Hills orchard fruit notes. What caught my attention was the wine’s balance – almost contradictory – a lithe frame despite a creamy fullness. White nectarine, golden delicious apples, and lemon curd meringue. As an advocate of breakfast for dinner, it was the peach yoghurt finish lightly dusted with baking spices that had me pouring a second glass. Tasted: June 2023; Drink: 2023 - 2027; Price: $30.00; Rating: 93 Points; Tijana Laganin

Bright, fresh, zesty, juicy as. This ’22 Chardonnay, from a long and steady ripening season, sings one lively tune. It starts with summery aromas of apple and citrus with spiced pear. Brisk acidity guides freshness and structure. Fruit intensity is joined by some leesy nougat and mealy creaminess. A most convincing finish on this upbeat, bouncy youngster – top value for the price. Tasted: June 2023; Drink: 2023 - 2028; Price: $30.00; Rating: 92 Points; Jeni Port