CRAGGY RANGE GIMBLETT GRAVELS CHARDONNAY 2010, $34 Drool-inducing aromas of grapefruit pith, ripe peach and buttered crumpets slathered in honey. It’s succulent and juicy with tropical tones and nicely balanced, gently-managed toasty oak to counter the fruit sweetness. Crisp and tangy, it’s a real treat and worth every cent. www.craggyrange.com
Chardonnay
Riverby Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2010
Riverby Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2010 $25 A really nice, nectarine-laden chardonnay with attractive stonefruit, grapefruit pith and toasty flavours to top off a lovely, lean, textural mouthfeel. Just the thing for a bowl of salt and pepper squid. www.riverbyestate.com
Tresillian Single Vineyard Akaroa Chardonnay 2009
Tresillian Single Vineyard Akaroa Chardonnay 2009 $23 This is a superb Canterbury chardonnay chock-full of melon, mango and peach notes on the nose all followed by an explosively fresh burst of tropical and citrus flavours in the mouth. Clean, long and linear, it’s a lovely drink indeed. Buy from www.tresillian.co.nz Tresillian Single Vineyard Akaroa Chardonnay
Te Mata Elston Chardonnay 2010
Lovers of the Te Mata Elston Chardonnay 2010 $35 will also be pleased to know that Buck believes “in all modesty, the 2010 Elston is probably the best version we’ve ever done”. 2010 was a sensational year for Hawke’s Bay chardonnay and I’ve got to agree with John, this wine is unbelievably gorgeous. Fresh, crisp and crunchy … Read More
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Chardonnay 2008
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 $35 Golden and glossy, this wine boasts layers of white peach, tangelo and grapefruit pith aromas which are so enticing it’s quite tricky actually wrenching your nose away so you can actually put it in your mouth! But it’s worth it because this chardonnay has succulent stonefruit and creamy, nutty, … Read More
Forrest Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2008
Forrest Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 $22 Gorgeous ripe grapefruit and mandarin aromas combine with solid toasty oak notes and a rich, attractive bacon-like character really rounds out the complexity of this wine. Lovely fresh acidity and juicy length of flavour makes it a superb match with classic roast chicken or seared scallops wrapped in bacon. … Read More
Nga Waka Martinborough Chardonnay 2009
Nga Waka Martinborough Chardonnay 2009 $24 Classic, old-school in style with classy citrus pith and toasty oak fleshed out with creamy, brulee and bran-muffin characters along with a sneaky sliver of peach and nectarine running through it. Excellent length of flavour just makes it all the more stunning. Buy from select liquor stores or online … Read More
Matawhero Gisborne Chardonnay 2010
Matawhero Gisborne Chardonnay 2010 $25 Scented with popcorn, candyfloss, peach and mango cream, it’s a style that’s out on its own but I like it. Definitely a food-friendly example that has good length of flavour and presence on the palate. www.matawhero.co.nz
Ata Rangi Petrie
Ata Rangi Petrie Chardonnay (Wairarapa) 2008 $27 ****1/2 A lovely, clean chardonnay that in addition to hints of nutmeg, grapefruit pith and shortbread on the nose, has juicy stonefruit flavours, bracing acidity and minerality on the palate and a slippery-smooth nutty finish. If you’re a scallop wrapped in bacon I’d be very afraid…
Ata Rangi Craighall
Ata Rangi Craighall Chardonnay 2007 $40 ***** Like a chrysanthemum unfolding a hundred perfect petals, this wine opens up a whole new world for your tastebuds as it oozes ripe grapefruit, toasty oak and concentrated mealy, peachy flavours. Made from old Martinborough vines, the Craighall cements itself as one of New Zealand’s Super Classics – … Read More