2024 Billy Button “The Classic” Chardonnay

So, chardonnay may not be as weird and whacky as some of the other alternative varieties in the Billy Button line-up, but how can you go past its classic characteristics and universal appeal? It may have gone out of fashion for a minute, but it is truly one of the world’s great varieties, and as a winemaker it offers one of the most awesome opportunities to have fun in the winery. The fruit is sourced from the Antonello vineyard at Buffalo Creek, the Greenacres vineyard at Merriang South and the Nicholson Vineyard at Porepunkah.

Say 'shar-don-nay'

Production Notes

The 2024 “The Classic” Chardonnay has been produced from two of our grower vineyards within the Alpine Valleys wine region. Each vineyard brings such unique attributes, resulting in a wine that includes a variety of Chardonnay clones including I10VI and the exciting new clone to Australia clone 548.

Each parcel was hand harvested and whole bunch pressed, then filled to barrel with all the goodness of full solids. Fermentation occurs in barrel with a combination of selected wine yeasts. Wines are aged on lees for 9 months, with minimal stirring and sulphur added as required to each individual barrel. A combination of large and small format French oak was used.  Careful barrel selection and blending just prior to bottling resulted in approximately 17% new oak.

Tasting Note

Complex and layered – aromas of clotted cream enriched with vanilla, fresh grated nutmeg and subtle oatmeal notes that add depth and savoury intrigue.  Seamless, powerful and finely composed, the palate delivers vibrant fruit expression led by white peach. Lovely phenolics provide structure and tension, creating a wine that feels tight yet generous. Beautifully balanced, with excellent ageing potential.

Optimal Drink Window - drinking well now, likely to peak at 5 years. Cellar up to 10 years.

Technical details

Reviews

"Youthful, tightly wound aromas of struck match, grapefruit, nectarine, peach and hazelnut help introduce this cooler-climate, expressive chardonnay. Svelte in shape, firm in acidity and purpose, it brings attractive stone fruits, citrus and a mealy nuttiness to the palate, plus vanillin oak and spice notes. In other words, there's plenty of chardonnay flavour to enjoy here. A good starting point or entry tier in the producer's noteworthy chardonnay journey." Awarded 92 points, Halliday Wine Companion, Jeni Port - Published 09 June 2026