Decades of Dogs…

22 November 2014By Yvonne

Last week I wrote about everything being better in two’s and how fun it is to taste two different vintages of the same wine side by side to pick out the differences. Well if the team at Dog Point in Marlborough didn’t just decide to dial that idea up by 500% and open up ten … Read More

Richmond Plains Nelson Chardonnay 2011

7 November 2012By Yvonne

Richmond Plains Nelson Chardonnay 2011 $19 ★★★½ This smells like a peach cupcake with grapefruit icing, it’s seriously tangy and tropical with lovely concentration and a seam of toasty oak to wrap up the finish.  Delicious with pan-seared scallops topped with toasted almonds. www.richmondplains.co.nz

Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2010

8 August 2012By Yvonne

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

Riverby Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2010

23 July 2012By Yvonne

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

4 January 2012By Yvonne

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

16 December 2011By Yvonne

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

7 September 2011By Yvonne

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

30 August 2011By Yvonne

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

14 August 2011By Yvonne

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

11 July 2011By Yvonne

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