Narkoojee Lily Grace Chardonnay 2023 is a stunning Gippsland estate Chardonnay with a pale straw-green hue and a flavour profile of white stone fruit, honeydew melon, citrus, cashew, oyster shell, lees, yoghurt and integrated French oak — beautifully balanced with a smooth texture, natural mineral acidity and a long, taut finish. Named after Harry and Val Friend’s first grandchild, Lily Grace Friend. Drink now through 2028.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Narkoojee Lily Grace Chardonnay 2023 presents a stunning pale straw-green hue with excellent clarity — the hallmark of a beautifully balanced estate Chardonnay from selected Gippsland plantings, fermented with wild yeasts indigenous to the Narkoojee vineyard. Elegant and immediately inviting in the glass.
Aroma
The fruit intensity is something else — yellow peach and nectarine lead with vibrancy and generosity, with lemon, grapefruit and honeyed tones adding freshness and lift. Cashew, oyster shell and lees provide a subtle, complex undercurrent, while integrated French oak weaves through with a gentle spice and creaminess. A Chardonnay of genuine purity and presence on the nose.
Palate
Rich and beautifully layered — white stone fruit and tangerine lead with a fruit sweetness and richness that is immediately satisfying, with butterscotch, shortcake, yoghurt and almond kernel adding creamy, nutty complexity. Spicy French oak provides structure and depth, while the natural mineral acidity delivers a long, taut and elegant finish. A Chardonnay of exceptional balance and refinement.
Pairs With
An ideal accompaniment to seafood in all its forms — equally outstanding alongside pan-seared scallops, grilled barramundi, lobster bisque, soft-ripened cheeses or a classic Gippsland seafood platter. The white stone fruit, natural mineral acidity and creamy French oak make this a versatile and rewarding match for the table. Serve well chilled. Best drinking now through 2028.
“The fruit intensity is something else. Yellow peach and nectarine, lemon/grapefruit and honeyed tones. There’s a fruit sweetness across the palate, a richness with butterscotch and shortcake, nutty and creamy.”
— Jane Faulkner, Wine Companion, August 2024
