It's hard to beat a good chardonnay, one with fruit, oak and nutty characters in harmony anda crisp, long, satisfying finish.
BEST VALUE
$20
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
Lovely fruit - fresh citrus, grapefruit, pineapple and stonefruit, with an underlying textural creamy nuttiness filling out the palate and a crisp, long finish. Unoaked and delicious.
lawsonsdryhills.co.nz
$20
Three and a half stars
Average value
A big wine wine, oozing stone fruit and citrus with a creamy nuttiness and a crisp textural finish.
eskvalley.co.nz
$20
Three and a half stars
Average value
Slightly funky with hints of stone fruit and citrus, a suggestion of nuts and creamy oak, mouth-filling with a long, textural finish.
maindivide.com
$28
Four stars out of five
Good value
Here's a wine for oak lovers - oodles of toasty oak with roasted nuts, hints of citrus and greengages and a fresh, lively finish.
eskvalley.co.nz
$39
Four stars
Average value
A stylish young wine with hints of nectarine and buttery nuts supported by toasty oak, complex and tightly structured, intense and persistent, this will develop with a year or two's bottle age.
mills reef.co.nz
$40
Four and a half stars
Good value
There's an easiness and generosity to this wine. It hints of ripe nectarines and citrus with a creamy, textural, nutty undertone and harmony between the fruit, the subtle oak and the beautifully balanced finish.
greystonewines.co.nz
ANOTHER GLASS
The Bone Line Sharkstone Waipara Chardonnay 2013
$30
Four stars
Good value
A creamy wine with hints of citrus and nuts backed by subtle oak. Textural, well structured withan attractive, dry finish, it is another wine that will develop with a couple of years bottle age.
