There's a lot of chardonnay around, but it's a treat to find something that stands out from the crowd with complexity, texture and charm, as some of these wines do.
BEST UNDER $20
$19.95
It's unusual to find such a complex chardonnay at this price.
It's barrel-fermented, using indigenous yeast, which gives it a funky hint of toffee, nuts and cream caramel, but there's also fruit (citrus, mandarin), and a bright crisp finish.
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
$21
There's nothing wimpy or subtle about this wine.
Boldly flavoured with oodles of citrus, stone fruit and cashews and supported by creamy undertones, it's assertive and attractively up-front.
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
$19
A simple but attractive wine hinting of lemon, peach and pineapple, nicely textured with a crisp finish.
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
$25
A stylish wine with a silky texture and subtle undertones of savoury oak supporting the fruit (citrus and white peach), hints of nuts and a crisp dry finish.
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
$25
Strictly for those who love oaky chardonnay, this is a bit like chewing timber at present, but underneath there's fresh stone-fruit and a nutty hint.
More bottle age will bring this into better balance.
Three stars (out of five)
Below average value
$29
An unusual wine with the crisp purity characteristic of Central Otago wines.
There's a suggestion of sea shells in the aroma, underlying hints of buttered toast and bright stone-fruit, and a steely crisp finish.
Good with food.
Four stars (out of five)
Average value
ANOTHER GLASS
Mills Reef Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2009
$19
A light, crisp wine with lots of juicy fruit and a crisp finish.
Two stars (out of five)
Below average value
Stoneleigh Marlborough Chardonnay 2009
$23
Hints of white peach, citrus and toasty oak with a creamy undertone and a crisp finish.
Two stars (out of five)
Below average value
Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tasting and evaluation is subjective.
These are personal recommendations.
