Steels Gate Melba Block Blanc de Blancs 2020 from Dixons Creek in the Yarra Valley is an elegant, single‑block traditional‑method sparkling Chardonnay, precise and finely detailed with classic cool‑climate drive. It sits in the Melba Block estate series, offering serious finesse without losing generosity.

In the glass, expect fine, persistent bead with aromas of lemon rind, green apple, white flowers and nectarine, layered over brioche, almond meal and a touch of honeyed complexity from extended time on lees. The palate is creamy yet taut – golden apple and ripe stonefruit wrapped in tightly structured citrus acidity and refreshing minerality, finishing long, dry and textural with a savoury, bready edge.

Food‑wise, Melba Block Blanc de Blancs 2020 is pitch‑perfect with oysters, prawns, scallops and white fish, or vegetable‑based pasta and paté, where its citrus, mineral line and brioche complexity really sing. It’s also a superb aperitif or celebration bottle, with the structure to hold and evolve gracefully over the next few years.