The 2025 Emmalene Chardonnay is proof that Adelaide Hills chardonnay can hold onto citrus freshness even as the palate builds some texture.

White peach and grapefruit lead the nose, with a lemon-curd note and a soft creamy edge that keeps the wine from feeling austere, and a faint hazelnut note that shows itself as the glass warms up. The palate follows the same path, with citrus staying at the core through the middle of the wine.

Acidity is bright and well-integrated, the body sits in the middle rather than either lean or broad, and the finish is long, with the creamy texture showing more at the back than the front. It's a wine that rewards a slightly slower pour, opening up further after a few minutes in the glass.

It matches roast or grilled chicken, seafood in a butter or cream-based sauce, or a simple risotto with plenty of parmesan.

Drink it over the next two to three years, while the citrus fruit stays the dominant note ahead of the texture.