I heard on the grapevine the other day that chardonnay is
about to make a comeback after falling from fashion in favour
of pinot gris and sauvignon blanc. This is good news as good
chardonnay is delicious.
BEST UNDER $20
Spade Oak Heart of Gold Gisborne Chardonnay 2011
$15
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Good value
A soft, creamy chardonnay with hints of nuts and peaches, a
bright crisp finish and rich aftertaste.
www.spadeoak.co.nz
Richmond Plains Nelson Chardonnay 2011
$20
Three and a half stars
Good value
An attractive, easy wine hinting of sweet ripe peaches,
creamy, toasted nuts and finishing with a crisp, lingering
aftertaste.
www.organicwines.co.nz
Gibbston Highgate Estate Heartbreaker Chardonnay
2011
$25
Three and a half stars
Below average value
A stylish wine with hints of golden kiwi and carrot juice,
light toasty, nutty, buttery undertones and suggestions of
stone fruit. It is textural and well structured, but when I
tasted it the following day the vegetal, mineral undertones
had become stronger than when first opened.
www.gibbstonhighgate.co.nz
Ryan Nelsen Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2011
$26
Three and a half stars
Below average value
There's lots of flavour here - stone fruit, very ripe apples,
pineapple and grapefruit, with a buttery, nutty undertone. It
is mouth-filling with a crisp, but rather lean finish.
www.rnwines.com
Te Mania Reserve Nelson Chardonnay 2011
$28
Four stars
Average value
Lively hints of citrus and stone fruit, with a smoky hint of
mineral, nutty, buttery undertones, texture and length, and a
bright, fresh finish. A stylish, understated wine.
www.temaniawines.co.nz
Wooing Tree Central Otago Chardonnay 2011
$30
Four stars
Average value
Peach, nectarine, and hints of tropical fruit with firm
underpinnings of creamy, nutty oak, a savoury nuance and an
intense, crisp finish. This is a young wine and bottle age
will allow it to develop.
www.wooingtree.co.nz
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