Wine reviews: Chardonnay

Big buttery chardonnays are becoming rarer as many winemakers are choosing lighter styles, sometimes with a little nuttiness and texture.

However, whether you prefer a buttery oaky style or a crisp minerally one, as always, it's the harmony, balance and complexity that make for a fine wine.

Best Value 
Thornbury Gisborne Chardonnay 2013
$15
Three stars (out of five) 
Good Value  
Attractive fruit - peaches and melons - with hints of smoky, buttery oak and a fresh, lingering finish. Simple but pleasant. Not for long keeping. 
thornbury.co.nz
Stoneleigh Latitude Marlborough Chardonnay 2013
$22
 
Four stars
Good Value 
Peaches, citrus and even pineapple notes ooze from this wine, supported by nicely integrated and balanced toasty oak and finishing with a fresh, long aftertaste.

stoneleigh.co.nz

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mills Reef Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2013

$25

Three and a half stars

Average value 

A buttery chardonnay oozing sweet peaches and nectarines with hints of golden syrup and almonds, backed by lots of oak. There's lots going on here. Heaven for lovers of big, buttery, oaky chardonnay.

millsreef.co.nz

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domaine Rewa Central Otago Chardonnay 2012

$31

Four stars

Good value 

A mouth-filling wine with layers of flavour, a restrained nuttiness, nicely integrated oak, a crisp textural finish and a lingering aftertaste hinting of buttery nuts.

domainerewa.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pegasus Bay Waipara Chardonnay 2011

$37

Four and a half stars

Good value

Broad, mouth-filling and intense, this is a wine with everything, but it's all nicely integrated and harmonious - hints of peaches, citrus, almonds and herbs supported by toasty oak and a stylish minerality, with a fresh, lingering finish.

pegasusbay.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ata Rangi Craighall Martinborough Chardonnay 2013

$45

Five stars

Good value 

A fine wine, fresh with delicious hints of citrus and white-fleshed peaches, a suggestion of mineral, finely textured and beautifully balanced with a long, harmonious finish. It will develop for five to eight years in a good cellar.

atarangi.co.nz

 

 

 

 

 

ANOTHER GLASS

Brancott Estate Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2013
$17.30

Three stars

Average value

A simple wine with hints of sweet peaches and nuts, and a clean, slightly hard finish.

brancottestate.com

 

Black Ridge Central Otago Chardonnay 2013
$22

Three stars

Below average value

Hints of canned peaches, apples, toffee and golden syrup, a suggestion of smoky nuts and a crisp finish.

info@blackridge.co.nz

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