I’ve made a horrifying discovery in recent months. Actually it’s more like I’m making a horrifying admission. To set the scene I’ll admit that I’m still old-school in that I write most of my wine tasting notes by hand, in a notebook. Then I type them up and post them on my website or pop … Read More
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Matahiwi Estate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 $22 (3.5 stars)
Using a parcel of fruit they’ve sourced from Hawke’s Bay, these skilled, Wairarapa-based producers have created a wine bursting with classic grilled grapefruit and lemony, smoked pineapple flavours. It’s toasty and roasty and yet really fresh, plus it has a solid citrus backbone and a nutty core. I think it’s a winner with chicken schnitzel … Read More
Paritua Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 $42 (5 stars)
Winemaker Jason Stent 2014 vintage of this Bridge Pa-grown beauty is elegant, creamy, peach-and macadamia-crumble of a wine. Chock full of classic stonefruit and pineapple notes on the nose and palate, it’s refreshing, soulful and seriously satisfying, I absolutely love it. www.paritua.com
Waimea Nelson Gewurztraminer 2016 $23 (4 stars)
Winemaker Hamish Kempthorne has crammed a cruise-ship sized chunk of creamy florals, luscious lychee, peach and ginger-dusted, musky notes into this bottle. Waimea produce crisp, satisfying, richly flavoured aromatic whites that, if I had my way, would be less of a secret and more of a ‘mustsip’. Try this with your next Thai green chicken … Read More
Black Estate Home Chardonnay 2016 $45 (4 stars)
The Home Vineyard sits 6 kilometres north east of the Waipara Junction, in the Omihi sub-district of North Canterbury’s Waipara Valley. The un-grafted, Mendoza-clone chardonnay vines this wine was made from were planted in 1994 and since 2010 have been grown using organic and biodynamic practices, resulting in a wine oozing grilled citrus, layers of … Read More
Pukeora Estate Ruahine Range Pinot Gris 2015/2016 $21 (4 stars)
It’s a rare thing to see these days, blending two vintages of a still wine together (multi-vintage blending is common in sparklings), yet winemaker Max Annabell has made this work. A tiny pinot gris harvest in 2015 meant the wine was kept aside and when an equally tiny (but delicious) vintage followed in 2016, he … Read More
Stone Paddock Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 $25 (3.5 stars)
With its attractive aromas of baked lemon cheesecake, creamy almonds and white peach, this is a delicate, focused chardonnay with a fine line of clean acidity and a long quartzy, citrussy finish. Get set for a zesty-fresh, Bridge Pa-grown glass of goodness as soon as you uncap this wine. Terrific with creamy smoked chicken and … Read More
Babich Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $14.95
With aromas of marshmallow, nougat, nectarine and a squeak of butterscotch, this is a rather tasty, tropically-inclined chardonnay that’s edged with grapefruit on the finish. Balanced, tangy, toasty and fresh, it’s a good, all-purpose, crowd-pleaser. Sip with: Hot roasted salmon. www.moorewilsons.co.nz
Mud House Marlborough Chardonnay 2016 $18.99
Sourced from Marlborough’s Omaka sub-region, this chardonnay has creamy cashew and roast peach characters, layers of citrus and spicy, caramelized oak and buttered crumpet notes. There’s a hint of textural ‘chew’ to add a little somethin’ somethin’ to the finish as well. Sip with: gurnard and macadamia nut burned butter. www.blackmarket.co.nz
Easthope Family Winegrowers Skeetfield Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 $39
Sourced from Denis and Sally Gunn’s legendary vineyard, Rod Easthope has crafted a beautifully complex, whole-bunch-pressed (yes it makes a difference) chardonnay, fermented with wild yeasts in French oak, and it’s scented with a twang of smoke. Sip with: crayfish burgers. www.finewinedelivery.co.nz