De Bortoli Windy Peak Chardonnay 2012, Yarra Valley, Australia (£11.99 Majestic)
Young, Mâcon-like in style, with orchard fruit, fresh and ever-so-slightly cooked, a touch of nutty uncooked cake mix and a sappy refreshing citrussy finish. A good honest glass of wine. S-

Glen Carlou ‘Quartz Stone’ Chardonnay 2011, Paarl, South Africa (£19.99 SA Wines Online, The Secret Cellar, Noel Young Wines, Winedirect.co.uk, HarperWells)
Rich, creamy nutty style, does have some citrus freshness and pineapple bite, but overall it’s just a bit overdone, with some light oxidation and a little too much buttery toffeeish malolactic character. B(+)
(retasted this late Feb 2014 with similar notes)

Pullus Chardonnay 2012, Stajerska, Slovenia (£9.95 Winety)
Clean, fresh, unoaked style, with tangy nectarine, citrus and apple flavours, honest and fruity but maybe a bit too simple. B(-)

Leeuwin Estate Prelude Vineyards Chardonnay 2010, Margaret River, Australia (£26-£28 Domaine Direct, The General Wine Company, Harrods, Hedonism Wines, The House of Menzies, Jeroboams, John Gordon’s, Luvians, Noel Young, Secret Cellar, Selfridges, S.H. Jones, St Andrews Wine Company, Winedirect.co.uk, Woodwinters)
Slightly old-fashioned style of Aussie Chardonnay, as in it not being afraid to show of toasty vanilla-y oak, nutty, creamy texture (from lees-aging) and quite plump peach and pineapple fruit. But it’s all handled very well, with none of those characters being OTT, and enough lemony citrus bite to counteract the richness. S(-)