Some chardonnays can be rich and oaky, others more restrained
with nutty hints of varying intensity, and then there are
unoaked ones which can have lovely fruity flavours. There's
something to suit every taste, but it pays to be selective.
BEST VALUE
Spy Valley Marlborough Chardonnay 2008
$19.95
Fragrant with hints of grapefruit and smoky oak, and
suggestions of melon, spice and oatmeal, this is a stylish,
zesty wine, with understated oak and a bright, tingly
aftertaste.
www.spyvalley.co.nz
Good value
4 stars (out of 5)
Neudorf Nelson Chardonnay 2008
$29
A stylish wine with complex aromas hinting of citrus,
nectarine and smoky bacon, suggestions of nuts, thyme, honey
and toasty oak with a lively finish and long aftertaste.
www.neudorrf.co.nz
Average value
4 stars (out of 5)
Balancing Act Marlborough Chardonnay 2008
$15
A simple, fresh wine with a hint of citrus and nuts, and a
crisp, bright finish.
Average value
2 stars (out of 5)
Spy Valley Unoaked Marlborough Chardonnay
2009
$19.90
A juicy fruit salad of a wine, oozing nectarines and tropical
fruit, held in check by a hint of mineral, a rich oily
texture and a crisp, zesty finish.
www.spyvalley.co.nz
Average value
3 stars (out of 5)
Sacred Hill Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2009
$21
An attractive, oaky wine with oodles of peach and citrus
fruit to support the nutty, buttery undertones, which
finishes with a crisp, long aftertaste. For those who enjoy
oaky wines.
www.sacredhill.com
Average value
3 stars (out of 5)
Vidal Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008
$30
A complex wine, restrained and understated with hints of
basil, fragrant citrus fruit, textural and harmonious with a
lingering aftertaste. The reserve is the top tier of this
long established Hawkes Bay producer's wines.
www.vidal.co.nz
Average value
4 stars (out of 5)
ANOTHER GLASS
Desert Heart Central Otago Chardonnay 2008
$25.20
With hints of citrus and stone fruit with underlying nutty,
buttery notes, this is a complex, textural wine, with some
delicious flavours suggesting peach and butter scotch pie,
but I can't help thinking a bit more time in bottle will help
the flavours harmonise.
www.desertheart.co.nz
Average value
3 stars (out of 5)
Man o' War Waiheke Chardonnay 2008
$28
A funky wine with hints of smoke, grapefruit, mineral and
rubber, with mellowed flavours, understated fruit, light oak,
and a firm, tight finish.
www.manowarvineyards.co.nz
Average Value
3 stars out of 5
Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate
preconceptions, all wine tasting and evaluation is
subjective. These are personal recommendations. charmian.smith@odt.co.nz
Two stars - simple, clean, enjoyable wine; three stars - good
wine with varietal characteristics; four stars - very good
wine with some outstanding characteristics; five stars -
outstanding wine with balance and harmony that leaves you
with a sense of wonder.
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