D'Arenberg The Stump Jump Lightly Wooded Chardonnay 2022 750ml

It is rumoured that the inventor of the Stump Jump plough, which let a ploughshare jump over tree roots, had poor eyesight and needed regular tests to keep operating machinery. The label design borrows from an optometrist's eye chart and doubles as a makeshift sobriety test: hold the bottle at arm's length, read the front label, and you have earned another glass.

The wine is pale straw-green and exceptionally fruit driven, with a fluid line of white peach, nectarine, green apple and honeydew melon. Controlled use of seasoned oak makes it generous and fresh, adding a mouth-coating nutty, lightly smoked texture of hazelnut and almond. Citrusy acidity and a crunchy bite lead to a long, savoury finish.

At 13.5% ABV with 2.6 g/l residual sugar, it is a well-crafted Chardonnay for all Chardonnay lovers. From McLaren Vale, South Australia. Serve it cool with roast chicken, grilled prawns or creamy pasta.