Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Chardonnay 2018 $44 The vines that pump out the fruit from which this chardonnay is crafted are over 30 years old. Now that might not seem that old, but if you think about New Zealand’s modern wine industry really only kicking off in the late 1980’s, and even then, the nation … Read More
Chardonnay
Pask Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2018
Pask Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2018 $22 This is my go-to wine when I need something snazzy to pair with dishes featuring brussels sprouts. Yep. Brussels sprouts. I don’t know how it works; it just does. There must be some science, but like Trump fans I’ll choose to ignore it. Instead I’ll opt to be fully … Read More
Jules Taylor Marlborough Chardonnay 2019
Jules Taylor Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 $23 Its roasted stonefruit and grilled citrus notes on the nose merge like a zip with soft nougat and brulee flavours in the mouth, making it a creamy, silky chardonnay that’ll soothe the throat and clear the nostrils nicely. Not overtly oaky, and definitely soothing, it’s ballerina-balanced and will easily … Read More
Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2017
Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2017 $39.99 Wow and what-the-blazes and woah Nelly! This chardonnay is all about a-hollerin’ and a-hootin’ to the world how exceptionally fantastic the Gimblett Gravels is at turning out clean yet character-packed chardonnay that handles oak like a brain surgeon, light-fingered yet powerfully in tune with what they’re working … Read More
Abel Tasman Nelson Chardonnay 2018
Abel Tasman Nelson Chardonnay 2018 $28 Well I’ll be darned. Mark and Sophie McGill are proven gurus when it comes to making great quality cider. That’s their background, that’s their strength. They should stick with that right? So why did they decide to segway from apples to grapes? Who knows. But I’m pleased they did … Read More
Tony Bish Fat & Sassy Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Tony Bish Fat & Sassy Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $23.99 Of all the fat and sassy’s, I think the shiny, new 2019 vintage could very well be the plumpest and cheekiest and goldenest of them all. Tony says he’s keeping it fat with lots of lees work, full malo and quality ripe fruit sourced mostly … Read More
Te Awanga Estate Mister Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Te Awanga Estate Mister Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $21.99 Word on the street is that 2019 was a cracker of a year in Hawke’s Bay for chardonnay and this little Rod McDonald creation definitely doesn’t let the side down. It’s a seriously sippable, grin-inducing burst of nectarine, lemon zest, creamy almond and brulee notes. There’s … Read More
747 Estate Mendoza Selection Chabis Style Gisborne Chardonnay 2017
747 Estate Mendoza Selection Chablis Style Gisborne Chardonnay 2017 $24 It doesn’t say so on the label (which has got to be one of the ugliest I’ve ever seen), the 747 Estate is a brand produced by Gisborne chardonnay pioneer Denis Irwin. Who I was expecting more from to be honest. Ugly, lazy label and … Read More
Trinity Hill 125 Gimblett Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2018
Trinity Hill 125 Gimblett Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2018 $80 100% Clone 95 chardonnay was harvested from their Tin Shed Vineyard at 125 Gimblett Road, then lovingly shepherded into the bottle by the Trinity Team to create the debut ‘125’. And I am all over it like a chardonnay-obsessed limpet. Aromatically it shows stylish … Read More
Smith & Sheth Cru Heretaunga Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018
Smith & Sheth Cru Heretaunga Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 $40 Holy buttered muffin Batman! This blend of clone 95, clone 15 and old Mendoza vines is one of three chardonnays released by Master of Wine Steve Smith and his team at Smith & Sheth, and it’s as complex as the design on the label. Each … Read More