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      

Ata Rangi Petrie

7 June 2011By Yvonne

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

7 June 2011By Yvonne

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

Alana Estate Chardonnay

28 May 2011By Yvonne

Alana Estate Chardonnay 2007 $42.00 ***** Alana Estate, where have you been all my life?  This Martinborough chardonnay has delicious aromas of ripe peach, buttered toast, juicy grapefruit and as soon as I sipped it I fell in love.  Satisfying and rich with a silky fresh texture in the mouth and incredible persistence of flavour.  … Read More