Te Kano Central Otago Chardonnay 2021 $38 Te Kano translates to ‘the seed’ in Te Reo Māori, and one thing, as soon as you sip this, will become blindingly clear. And it’s not just that oxymoron. It’s that Te Kano are becoming masters at crafting delicious examples of wines which are not expected to do … Read More
Chardonnay
Diegale Chaver Chardonnay Vermentino Toscana IGT 2018
Diegale Chaver Chardonnay Vermentino Toscana IGT 2018 $26.20 Where have blends of chardonnay and vermentino been all my life? From Tuscany comes this vibrant and lively melange of stonefruit-centric chardonnay and the crisp apple and nutty notes of vermentino – and it’s a super interesting white wine that’s seriously food-friendly. The textures have cling and … Read More
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021 $24 The team at Trinity were clearly having an excellent time in 2021 with chardonnay at all levels just roaring out of the gate with flavour and personality. This vintage erupts with peachy punch and citrus complexity, ferociously fresh acidity, a deliciously defined, creamy mid-palate, a toasty lacing of … Read More
Monowai Upper Reaches Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021
Monowai Upper Reaches Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021 $35 The juicy, multilayered, gentle stonefruit and caramelised spices in this new vintage merge with creamy depth including creme brulee and creme caramel, peachy notes baked nashi and neenish tart – deliciously complex and macadamia creaminess – roasted nuts and exceptional length of flavour been waiting for this … Read More
Monowai Upper Reaches Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2020
Monowai Upper Reaches Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2020 $34.99 Upper Reaches refers to Emma Lowe and her husband Marcelo Nunez’s vineyard. It sits high up on the ancient terraces carved out by the mighty Ngaruroro River in the sub-region of Crownthorpe at the foot of the Kaweka Range. Vanilla-dipped cherry and choco-berry aromas lead to … Read More
Monowai Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021
Monowai Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021 $24.99 There are three words printed on the back label of this bottle. Stonefruit. Vanilla. Toasty. And if you had to simplify this wine you’d absolutely be on point with those words, yet as soon as you sip you’ll see this wine is bursting with extra complexity. Beautifully balanced acidity … Read More
Two Rivers Clos Des Pierres Marlborough Chardonnay 2021
Two Rivers Clos Des Pierres Marlborough Chardonnay 2021 $30 After a very tricky season, just tiny amounts of fruit were available to make this chardonnay, but those little bunches, grown in the Spring and Brookby Hill vineyard, were spectacular. Hand-harvested, whole bunch pressed, wild fermented and aged for 11 months in a 4500ltr French oak … Read More
Monowai Upper Reaches Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021
Monowai Upper Reaches Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021 $35 This chardonnay — with its caramelised spices, roast peach notes, deliciously complex macadamia-like creaminess, and exceptional length of flavour — is inspiring. I’d only had a sip when this sudden flash of brilliance occurred. If you’re cremated after you die, you could be put into an hourglass … Read More
Main Divide North Canterbury Chardonnay 2021
Main Divide North Canterbury Chardonnay 2021 $16.99 Paired with Annabel Langbein’s Black bean and corn quesadillas in CANVAS in the NZ Herald June 4 2022 Match the comforting creaminess of the black beans and cheese and the sweetness of the corn with a bodaciously brisk chardonnay bursting with grapefruit, nectarine and cinnamon toast tastiness like … Read More
The Marlborist Marlborough Chardonnay 2020
The Marlborist Marlborough Chardonnay 2020 $50 Look out Marlborough wine fans, there’s a new brand in town. Two years of development by three wine industry old-hands, good chums and crazy risk-takers led to ‘The Marlborist’ project being launched in mid-2020. The debut pinot noir and sauvignon blanc by David Nash, Stuart Dudley and Rich Ellis … Read More