Jules Taylor Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 $21.99 Boasting all sorts of tropical tantalisation on the nose (think pineapple and mango) alongside cashew, almond and a smashup of grapefruit and peach wash across the palate. It’s not an oak-driven, ultra-challenging style, more fruit forward than anything, with a creamy undertone that makes it a crowd-pleaser for any … Read More
Dog Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018 $28.50 I took my first sip of this wine as I signed up to Amazon Prime and hit ‘play’ on the UK hit program ‘Fleabag’ and I can tell you right now that I can’t think of a more satisfying combination. On the one hand the wine is so … Read More
Mishas Vineyard Dress Circle Central Otago Pinot Gris 2017 $28 This is one of my favourite New Zealand pinot gris styles because it hits that perfect balance between the deliciously dry and mouthfillingly rich. Think a tweak of yuzu, nestled amongst nashi and soft lemony notes on the nose and palate, this Central Otago stunner … Read More
Jackson Estate Grey Ghost Barrique Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $28 Named after the gigantic old gum tree that grows on Jackson’s Homestead vineyard that apparently makes ghostly noises as the temperature cools down and night settles in. Made by Matt Paterson-Green, this sauvignon is hand harvested, whole-bunch-pressed and then fermented in old, French oak barrels … Read More
Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Chardonnay 2017 $43 Wow. Wow and triple wow. If the immense punch of grilled grapefruit, buttered crumpet, and hints of smoked bacon and popcorn doesn’t send you sideways, the powerful, weighty, woof-inducing complexity on the palate definitely will. Sourced from old vines and matured on its yeast lees in 30% new … Read More
Giesen Single Vineyard Fuder Series Clayvin Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 $49.99 I have literally been doing a months-long Rumplestiltskin dance waiting for this wine to be released. Certified organic and representing the pinnacle of what the team at Giesen can achieve from Clayvin, (one of Marlborough’s most sought-after vineyards), it’s absolutely stunning and worth every cent … Read More
The Last Shepherd Gisborne Chardonnay 2017 $19.99 Toast? check. Roast peach? check. Buttery textures? check. Nutty layers? check. Gisborne-ness? Quadruple check. Here’s a chardonnay that literally ticks all the boxes for a good time, especially if you’ve got a hankering for quality, old-school, East coast, toasty, roasty, buttery-chards. What it lacks a little in length … Read More
Gem Gisborne Chardonnay 2005 Golden, glossy and topaz-tinted in the glass, this 14yo, wild-fermented chardonnay from Corey and Meg Hall has butterscotch, weetbix, toasted almond has definitely moved into it’s tertiary spectrum of aromas and flavours – brazil nut, vanilla, caramelised oaky notes and showing a long long flavour still carrying solid acidity. If you … Read More
Montsable Vin de Pays d’Oc Chardonnay 2018 $19.95 You cannot even know how happy I am to see this shiny new vintage of one of my favourite, sip-tastic chardonnays. Typically golden in the glass and heaving with lemon and grapefruity goodness, this gorgeous French chardonnay from the Languedoc (long-wah-dock) region is clean, juicy and jam-packed … Read More
Soljans Estate Fifth Generation Series Kumeu Vineyard Chardonnay 2016 $48 This is the debut chardonnay from the Kumeu vineyard of a West Auckland Octogenarian producer, and it’s an absolute star. Celebrating the welcoming of the fifth generation of Soljan family members (Tyler and Amber) into the family business, this 100% handpicked, 100% barrel fermented, 100% … Read More