Matahiwi Estate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 $18-$22
If I was giving out ribbons and bells for the most consistent, value-for-money-under-the-radar-chardonnay over the last 4 years the Matahiwi would be a veritable morris dancer of a sip. Shiny and new, with tropical fruit up the wazoo, expect an extra lash of peach, rockmelon, guava, grapefruit, toast and spice. Miles Dineen is the man behind the tanks and barrels at this small but perfectly formed winery just outside of Masterton and he’s snaffled solid Hawke’s Bay fruit to produce a medium-weighted, nicely structured example yet again. Fact: The Phoenix on the label symbolises the rebirth of winemaking in the region after prohibition (fun times…)
