TOP OF THE TASTING

1 te Pā Reserve Collection St Leonard’s Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 ($49.99) Gold Medal

This wine made an immediate impact. Jane loved its intense fruit purity, ripe fig notes, almondy oak and “completeness”. It’s a harmonious, juicy, highly appealing example that’s hard to put down. Softly smoky, whipcrack fresh and bursting with stonefruit and citrus. Winemaker Sam Bennett’s spectacular chardonnay will wow the crowds. That’s if you can bring yourself to share it.

1

Brancott Estate Letter Series ‘O’ Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 ($19.99 to $29.99) BEST BUY Gold Medal

That this wine romps in at under $30 is a total headscratcher, because it outclassed wines three times the price and it can even be found discounted to $19.99 – which is even crazier! “Such an outstanding wine,” declared Yvonne. “Perfumed with spiced popcorn and grilled grapefruit, it’s richly layered with stonefruit, struck match and caramelised oak elements.” Corey applauded the fine lemon curd and toasty textures.

2

Sacred Hill Riflemans Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 ($69.99) Gold Medal

The Riflemans site, tucked away in Hawke’s Bay’s Dartmoor Valley, is one of New

Zealand’s rare ‘heritage’ vineyards. This new vintage’s drool-inducing aromas of sun-baked stonefruit, cinnamon, honey and grapefruit marmalade on toast lead to a succulent, juicy fruit concentration on the palate. The finish is redolent of citrus peel, roasted almonds and it is ultra-long and structured, concluded Ric.

4

Wet Jacket Central Otago Chardonnay 2018 ($35) Gold Medal

“With its ripe, generous fruit, creamy textures and seasoned oak in support, it boasts beautiful balance and complexity,” noted Colin. This is a sensational example of what Central Otago is capable of, and that’s world-class chardonnay. Winemaker Greg Hay has created a rock concert in a glass, Beyoncé at Coachella if you will. Peak lusciousness, stonefruit and citrus intensity.

5

Wither Hills Ben Morven Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 ($25.99) Gold Medal

“So incredibly inviting aromatically, I couldn’t wait to taste it!” said Jo. “Bold oak and beautifully built, with the long haul in mind. A powerfully structured chardonnay that showcases winemaker Matt Large’s talent for squeezing every ounce of fruit concentration into the bottle.” “A classy wine that’ll reward time in the bottle,” added Jane.

6 Black Peak Wanaka Central Otago Chardonnay 2018 ($38) Gold Medal

“Lovely, sexy, ripe, round, delicious in every way possible,” announced Yvonne. This James Mcelrea-crafted chardonnay is incredibly well-built, gilded with toasty oak, and concentrated with grapefruit on the finish. Both Colin and Ric were impressed with the creamy texture and nutty nuances of this southern stunner.

7

Nautilus Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 ($39.95) Gold Medal

With its heavenly hazelnut and biscuity oak notes, peachy plushness and saucy, stonefruit seductiveness, this wine had “mmmms” being muttered across the judging tables. “Refreshing and very punchy,” noted Ric, while Jo was impressed by its smoky nuances and complexity on the finish.

8

Sacred Hill Wine Thief Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 ($34.99) Gold Medal

Often considered the younger brother to Sacred Hill’s flagship Riflemans chardonnay, this vintage firmly sings its own song. “Its aromas of apricot, sweet coconut, spice and toast lead to great palate balance and a strong core,” said Corey, while Colin loved its generous texture, structure and incredible fruit ripeness.

9 Greywacke Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 ($41.95) Silver Medal

Fans of flinty, foxy, smoke-edged chardonnay will love this wine, which is maturing beautifully in the bottle. “So poised and well-handled, everything was in harmony,” announced Jane. Ric was impressed with the fresh white peach and melon-edged magic, which carries through to the finish.

10

Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 ($39.99) Silver Medal

The Trinity Hill style is one of capturing and highlighting a core of citrus and tropical tastiness; yet its depth of flavour was the high point for Corey: “Love that toasty spice layer.” Colin agreed. “Serious chardonnay here, with excellent concentration, smoke, flint and lemon layers that lengthen it out”.

11

House of Ball Waipara Chardonnay 2014 ($45) Silver Medal

“It’s a wild, interesting, really fun wine,” announced Jo, while Ric also highlighted the nutty, nougat-infused complexity of this North Canterbury wine produced by Julian and Lynda Ball. The acidity is solid and succulent and adds to the citrus freshness and crunchy appeal of this delicious wine.

12

Mt Beautiful North Canterbury Chardonnay 2017 ($26.90) Silver Medal

This Cheviot-based vineyard is really hitting its chardonnay chops now that the vines are getting a little older. “I love the creamy aromatics and complexity of this wine,” noted Yvonne, while Colin was captured by the lemon blossom nose and the elegance and restraint shown on the palate weight.

*This is a sort of secondary fermentation where malolactic bacteria convert malic acid present in the wine into lactic acid. This in turn produces a creamy, buttery character in the finished wine.