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
Chardonnay
Amisfield Central Otago Chardonnay 2017 $45
Amisfield Central Otago Chardonnay 2017 $45 Dr Stephanie Lambert has a fearsome reputation as a winemaker and yet the big up’s, the accolades, the critic prop’s per se, are overwhelmingly in favour of her pinot noir. Indeed she does make damn fine, world-class pinot noir at every price point, yet I’m here to say that … Read More
Circuit North Canterbury Chardonnay 2018
Circuit North Canterbury Chardonnay 2018 $24.99 Crafted by the team at Black Estate from organically grown fruit that’s been fermented using a starter culture from the vineyard itself, this is a creamy, brulee and butter-smothered wine, with peach and grapefruit notes underpinning the nutty smoothness. Theres a hint of wildness and funk to the fruit layers … Read More
Moulin de Gassac Pont De Gassac Blanc 2017 $36
Looking for something lipsmackingly dry, apple-driven and crunchy-fresh? Then you’ve come to the correct cul de sac in the Moulin de Gassac. A blend of Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and a squeak of Terret and Viognier from the village of Villeveyracin the Thau Lagoon area of the Languedoc – it’s like a charge of … Read More
Sacred Hill Wine Thief Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016
Sacred Hill Wine Thief Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $29 I’m tasting this wine right as white flesh nectarines begin appearing in heaping quanitites on roadside fruit stalls around where I live, (Hastings, in case you were wondering) and this wine reminds me so much of their scent and the juicy intensity of biting into one. … Read More
Sacred Hill Riflemans Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016
Sacred Hill Riflemans Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $65 Riflemans should be, in my opinion, given national treasure status for its services to chardonnay appreciation in this country. Created in years when the fruit from this heritage-status vineyard in the upper reaches of the Dartmoor Valley, is deemed nothing less than exceptional, this wine is an exercise … Read More
Petane Station Hawke’s Bay Pét-Nat Chardonnay 2018
PETANE STATION HAWKE’S BAY PÉTILLANT NATUREL 2018 $38 “Pet Nat” is the thing. Everyone’s doing it – but not everyone is doing it well. Petane Station have crafted their debut example from chardonnay and while it’s got citrus hallmarks of classic chard, grapefruit, lemon et al, there’s a soft funkiness and spritzig. In fact beware the … Read More
Montana Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2016
Montana Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2016 $16.99 On the nose this chardonnay has creme brulee, Mackintosh’s ‘Harrogate’ and roast peach perfume, while on the palate it’s rich, decently structured and shows solid juiciness right through to the finish. It’s extremely gluggably good. Widely available.
Morton Estate Black Label Gisborne Chardonnay 2016
Morton Estate Black Label Gisborne Chardonnay 2016 $19.99 So here’s where things get really tricky because Lion, (the company that sent me this wine to review) say that it’s recommended retail price (rrp) is $19.99. Yet when you Google this wine, some websites, like www.thegoodwine.co.nz say “rrp $34.99 – but our price $16.99”. www.blackmarket.co.nz have … Read More
Dog Point Marlborough Chardonnay 2015
Dog Point Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 $36.99 You know how some chardonnay’s look great in the adverts and there’s a lot of marketing guffery and so you buy it. But when it arrives it tastes like the same version of disappointment you get when you buy a dress off instagram, which, when delivered, is actually a sack … Read More