1 MARISCO THE KING’S BASTARD CHARDONNAY 2020
Marlborough
Aromas of toasty roasted peach and vanilla, brazil nut and rose apple, a hint of butterscotch and toasty barrel spices. Full-bodied, weighty and creamy in texture as the wine touches the palate. Flavours of yellow-fleshed stone fruits, grapefruit, nut, baking spice and river stones. Chardonnay fans will warm to this wine quickly; I did. The best drinking is from 2021 through 2025+. RRP $28.99.
2 SMITH & SHETH HOWELL VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2020
Hawke’s Bay
Very sophisticated and complex bouquet with aromas of fresh and baked stone fruits, sweet citrus and pith, polished pebble minerality and an intriguing wild floral layer. A silky texture touches the palate first then contrasting fine wood tannins and acidity emphasises the core of fruit, layers of oak and baking spice complexities. I strongly suggest that you book an allocation now. RRP $60.
3 BILANCIA ‘TIATORE’ CHARDONNAY 2020 LA COLLINA VINEYARD
Hawke’s Bay
An intriguing bouquet with complexities from mineral to pure citrus fruit scents, a dense almost nutty lees quality, orchard fruits and a fine oak statement. Equally complex and quite delicious on the palate – texture first then a core of fruit followed by a fine acid line and layers of fine older barrel. There’s a fine tannin chalky texture with a flinty edgy quality. Best drinking from late 2022 through 2029+. RRP from $90.
4 STAETE LANDT JOSEPHINE CHARDONNAY 2019
Marlborough
A captivating and enticing bouquet with familiar scents of baked peach and toasty barrel, brazil nut butter and some kitchen cupboard spices, apple and a mineral lees complexity. A satin-cream texture greets the palate first, followed by flavours of citrus and baked stone fruits, vanilla and barrel spice. Weighty, fresh, toasty and is ready to drink from 2021 through 2028+. Perfect match with corn fritters and crème fraîche. RRP $28.
5 TOI TOI RESERVE GISBORNE CHARDONNAY 2020
Gisborne
Aromas of roasted stone fruits and fresh red apple, toasty barrel spices and a fine nutty complexity. A fine creamy texture on the palate with flavours of tree and stone fruits, medium+ acidity, judicious use of oak and a sweet vanilla, nut and raw sugar finish. Fine tannins give the final texture through the core. Delicious, youthful and ready to drink. RRP $31.
6 DICEY 6 BANNOCKBURN CHARDONNAY 2020
Central Otago
Fabulous complexity with a youthful core of cool climate fruits of grapefruit, yellow apple and reminds me of golden kiwifruit and white flowers. All is revealed on the palate with flavours of fresh peach and quince, red apple and golden kiwifruit. No mistaking the youthful side with a vibrant acidity and abundant fine fruit tannins delivering mouthfeel and foundation. This is a lovely example primed for food, but will age well too, with best drinking from mid to late 2022 through 2029+. RRP $30.
7 CHURCH ROAD GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2020
Hawke’s Bay
Complex, bold, varietal, smoky and toasty spices bouquet. An attention-seeking aroma package leads to a full-bodied expression on the palate with flavours of roasted stone fruits and barrel spices, wood tannins and contrasting acid line. Peach and baked apple, grapefruit and quince, honey and tropical fruit. A delicious, fresh and textured wine ticking all the boxes of flavour, power and panache. RRP $39.99.
9 VILLA MARIA TAYLOR’S PASS CHARDONNAY 2020
Marlborough
There’s a fine and alluring gentle savoury core to the bouquet just before aromas of yellow citrus and stone fruit scents invade the palate. A sweet barrel and wood spice layers in complexity and depth. Silky textures touch the palate followed by citrus and apple, some stone fruit and savoury spice. Fine tannins layer in texture along with a refreshing acid line. Still developing but delicious. Best drinking from 2022 through 2028+. RRP $49.99.
6 ATA RANGI MASTERS CHARDONNAY 2020
Martinborough
Seamless, pure, very elegant, varietal and complex bouquet. Aromas and flavours of mineral and apple, white peach and citrus, raw cashew nut and a mix of sweet barrel spice with a smoky quality. Fantastic texture as the wine touches the palate, very seductive and layered. Flavours mirror the bouquet, salivating with a lick of saline. Lengthy, pure and ready for your cellar. Best drinking from late 2022 through 2028+. RRP $90.
10 NEUDORF HOME BLOCK MOUTERE CHARDONNAY 2020
Nelson
Pure, complex and harmonious bouquet with aromas of mineral then fruit, flowers then barrel and a fine flinty complexity. On the palate – delicious and complex, a wine that speaks of texture first then flavours of yellow fruits from peach to grapefruit and quince to lemon. As it opens up, it reveals more layers and synergies echoing oak and lees, a natural wild flower and fine silty soil complexity. A fascinating wine, complex and lengthy. Best from 2023 through 2030. RRP $85.
11 THE BONELINE BAREBONE CHARDONNAY 2020
Waipara
Fresh, bright, youthful and mineral with a fresh citrus-centric bouquet. There’s a wonderful sense of place with this wine showcasing aromas and flavours of fresh grapefruit and wet stone mineral, red apple and white flowers. The acid line highlights and carries the mineral and natural cooler climate flavours while a layer of oak adds complexity and depth. Lengthy, youthful and complex. RRP $40.
12 TRINITY HILL 125 GIMBLETT CHARDONNAY 2020
Hawke’s Bay
Smoky, toasty and complex bouquet with scents of French oak and barrel spices, a touch of burnt butter and brazil nut, roasted yellow orchard fruits and baked citrus. Stone and sand-like earthy qualities layer in complexity and power. A satin texture touches the palate first, but is quickly contrasted by tannins and a youthful acid line. Well made, youthful and primed for ageing. Best drinking from late 2022 through 2029+. RRP from $80.