1999 Piper's Brook Chardonay (Tasmania, Australia) -- I believe this is the first wine I've had from the Tasmania appelation, and based on this experience, I'm willing to look for more. This wine is all about balance. Beautiful nose of pears, citrus, hints of vanilla; pear, nectarine, light lemon, butterscotch, vanilla flavors on a fairly light frame; long quite intense finish. I think this wine would age very nicely, but unfortunately it was my only bottle. Not one of the big in-your-face-fruit-and-oak Chardonays, but a restrained, classy wine with lots of concentration. App. 90 pts. but I get the feeling it will show even better in 3-4 years.

SeaQ,
A very good description of what Tasmanian Chardonnay ( and Pinot for that matter) is all about. Tasmania is seriously cool climate, and they often struggle to ripen even pinot in cooler years. The better chardonnays are as you've described: more citrus, melon characters than riper peach/tropical fruits. They are light to medium bodied, and can really only handle restrained use of French oak. Those like Piper's brook age well in better vintages. They have a reserve label called The Summit, which I haven't tried as yet. Look out for methode traditionelle bubbles from Tasmania as well - very champagne like.