I love good chardonnay, something that hints of citrus and nectarines, with nutty undertones, subtle oak, a steely backbone and lingering aftertaste. As long as the oak isn't overdone, it's versatile with many foods.
BEST VALUE
$28
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
A generous wine with suggestions of grapefruit and other citrus and stone fruit, lots of creamy, nutty, toasty oak with vanillin undertones and a mineral nuance, a tight, dry structure, and crisp, lingering finish. A stylish, well balanced wine that will delight those who enjoy oaky chardonnay.
$26
Three and a half stars
Average value
A lively wine with intense fruit hinting of nectarines, underlying dusty oak, a suggestion of nuts, and a fresh, crisp finish with a long, lively aftertaste and a hint of smokiness.
$33
Four stars
Average value
Attractive aromas of nectarines with underlying creamy oak and toasted nuts, weight in the mouth and a crisp textural finish and long aftertaste. A stylish, well balanced wine.
$38
Four stars
Average value
A crisp, elegant wine with hints of ripe apple, cream nutty aromas with a suggestion of mineral, and a steely, dry backbone. It's restrained, textural, stylish and well-balanced. Well worth allowing it a year or two in the bottle to show its potential.
$63
Four stars
Below average value
A tight, restrained young wine with hints of fresh, white-fleshed peach, a suggestion of nuts, mineral, slightly smoky oak, and a dry, textural finish. A stylish wine with persistence, length and power that will reward three or four years bottle age.
$42
Four and a half stars
Average value
A full-on, complex wine - floral, herbs, grapefruit, mandarin, suggestions of nuts and a smoky nuance of oak, all develop in the mouth and every time you take another sip there's more. But it's the mineral steeliness, the texture and balance and the long, nutty finish that make is so deliciously satisfying.
ANOTHER GLASS
Brown Brothers Patricia Victoria Chardonnay 2009
$40
Four stars
Average value
An older wine from a cooler climate, this is not your typical Australian chardonnay. It's restrained and elegant with lively hints of stone fruit, citrus, nuts, and creamy oak, with undertones of mineral, textural with a long, crisp, dry finish.
Mills Reef White Label Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2012
$19
Two and a half stars
Average value
As with many wines the first sip of this was pleasant - suggestions of sweet fruit and a slight nutty, oaky background. However, coming back to it the next day the fruit seemed to have disappeared and the sweetness dominated although the finish was clean. For those who like sweeter wines. Not for bottle age.
