Tohu Whenua Awa Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 $39.99 Planted in December 2010, this vineyard gets a little bit of ‘sandblasting’ and occasional ‘deer damage’ from the wind according to Mondo Kopua, vineyard manager. The smokiness comes from a full-solids ferment in barrel 50/50 wild + innoculated. It sits for 10 months in 20% new oak and … Read More
Chardonnay
Tohu Whenua Matua Nelson Chardonnay 2017
Tohu Whenua Matua Nelson Chardonnay 2017 $34.99 Mostly Mendoza clone fruit (with some clone 15) grown in the upper Moutere valley, handpicked, aromas of soft grapefruit pith, lemon, poached peach and popcorn. 50/50 wild ferment and innocculation creates a wine that’s fresh and attractively structured in the mouth. Boasting zesty acidity, excellent length of flavour … Read More
Catalina Sounds Sound of White Marlborough Chardonnay 2017
Catalina Sounds Sound of White Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 $35 The ‘Sound of White’ vineyard in the Waihopai Valley boasts rich, clay soils and chardonnay just loves that. Fermented wild (with indigenous yeasts) in large oak vessels, the nose has that gorgeous dichotomy of grapefruit, smoked citrus, hints of pineapple and peach, alongside a nutty, smoky, … Read More
Dog Point Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Dog Point Marlborough Chardonnay 2016 $40 Well, I’ll be pounded, egged and covered in crumbs Batman. In fact, any chicken recipe just screams out for the finest chardonnay you can lay your hands on. I was incredibly fortunate to have a bottle of the stunning Dog Point Marlborough Chardonnay 2016 within arms reach as I … Read More
Jules Taylor Marlborough Chardonnay 2018
Jules Taylor Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 $21.99 Boasting all sorts of tropical tantalisation on the nose (think pineapple and mango) alongside cashew, almond and a smashup of grapefruit and peach wash across the palate. It’s not an oak-driven, ultra-challenging style, more fruit forward than anything, with a creamy undertone that makes it a crowd-pleaser for any … Read More
Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Chardonnay 2017
Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Chardonnay 2017 $43 Wow. Wow and triple wow. If the immense punch of grilled grapefruit, buttered crumpet, and hints of smoked bacon and popcorn doesn’t send you sideways, the powerful, weighty, woof-inducing complexity on the palate definitely will. Sourced from old vines and matured on its yeast lees in 30% new … Read More
Giesen Single Vineyard Fuder Series Marlborough Chardonnay 2015
Giesen Single Vineyard Fuder Series Clayvin Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 $49.99 I have literally been doing a months-long Rumplestiltskin dance waiting for this wine to be released. Certified organic and representing the pinnacle of what the team at Giesen can achieve from Clayvin, (one of Marlborough’s most sought-after vineyards), it’s absolutely stunning and worth every cent … Read More
The Last Shepherd Gisborne Chardonnay 2017
The Last Shepherd Gisborne Chardonnay 2017 $19.99 Toast? check. Roast peach? check. Buttery textures? check. Nutty layers? check. Gisborne-ness? Quadruple check. Here’s a chardonnay that literally ticks all the boxes for a good time, especially if you’ve got a hankering for quality, old-school, East coast, toasty, roasty, buttery-chards. What it lacks a little in length … Read More
Soljans Estate Fifth Generation Series Kumeu Vineyard Chardonnay 2016
Soljans Estate Fifth Generation Series Kumeu Vineyard Chardonnay 2016 $48 This is the debut chardonnay from the Kumeu vineyard of a West Auckland Octogenarian producer, and it’s an absolute star. Celebrating the welcoming of the fifth generation of Soljan family members (Tyler and Amber) into the family business, this 100% handpicked, 100% barrel fermented, 100% … Read More
Saving Grace Waipara Chardonnay 2018
Saving Grace Waipara Chardonnay 2018 $27 This chardonnay is grown under the shadow of the Nor’West Arch in a spot sheltered by the Teviotdale hills. Classic North Canterbury chardonnay here, with peachy, brulee and cashew characters on the nose and palate and a lingering, creamy mouthfeel. You won’t see much of it about as it’s … Read More