It’s been a nuts week right? Calm the farm by giving your taste buds a chardonnay cuddle to show them you still care.
Ara Single Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 $17
The Ara vineyard sits at the confluence of the Wairau and Waihopai rivers, a beautifully laidout piece of land where the vines are left to ‘dry-grow’, meaning they don’t get a constant irrigation feed, instead their roots are forced to bury deep to find water. In chardonnay, this results in incredible fruit concentration and stylistic elegance, peach and grapefruit intensity and a long, almond-edged, roasty, toasty finish.
Sip with: Roasted scallops, pancetta and hazelnut salad.
www.firstglass.co.nz
Abbey Estate Bridge Pa Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2015 $25
Back in 2002 when Feilding dairy farmer Warren Haworth reached 50, he decided to reward himself and his wife Jan with a new life in Hawke’s Bay making wine. A new life of backbreaking work, little reward and even less sleep. But with the help of their winemaker son Dermot, they’re now crafting gobsmackingly good chardonnay from the Bridge Pa Triangle that sings with sexy, smoky, grilled grapefruit and roast peach notes, solid textural mouthfeel, nutty spicy characters and a marathon-like finish. Glorious!
Sip with: Boudin Blanc with buttery tarragon sauce.
www.abbeywines.com
Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Old Vine Chardonnay 2016 $47
If you’ve been seeking creamy satisfaction in all the wrong places, then fret no more. 100% malolactic fermentation has added lovely layers of crème caramel and ground almonds to classic citrus and grapefruity, peachy goodness to this fully-certified organic chardonnay. Crafted from fruit grown on vines planted in 1992, Mendoza clone vines with low yields, loose bunches and tiny berries. Luxuriously textured and fresh acidity adds buoyancy to the finish. Yum!
Sip with: Thai-style turkey rissoles.
www.stonecroft.co.nz
