Contrary to popular belief, this "lads’ trip" is not accompanied by cloth caps, bicycles, nor the theme music to The Last of the Summer Wine.
An unusual intro to a wonderful flight of Kiwi Chardonnays along with a ringer from France.
2021 Trinity Hill 125 Gimblett Chardonnay
Rating Outstanding
Unmistakably
Chardonnay, yet
elegance here too,
finely scented oak,
spices, a touch of
licorice. So beautifully
integrated, nothing out
of place. The palate is
similar, deceptively
powerful, citrusy
freshness, tropical
fruits, warm baguette,
an umami
savouriness. Gorgeous
mouthfeel whilst crisp
& zesty, a crunchiness
to the long, long close.
Simply splendid.
2020 Elephant Hill Salomé Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Smoke, a stony
quality, bread dough,
ripe peach, wisps of
struck match, fine oak
scents. Drier, tightly
wound, a sense of
tension to this. Nutty
characters, wet
stones, lemon zest, the
power and depth
shines through.
Structure and intent,
built for the long haul,
the long dry close gets
the salivary juices
going. The nose &
palate swells, a wine to
contemplate.
2020 Elephant Hill Sea Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
A sense of volume,
richness, tropical
fruit, spices anise,
grilled nuts, integrated
oak. Super flavour
intensity and depth
yet remains light on
its feet. A tangy
undercurrent runs
through this, perhaps
apple skin, adding
light chewiness,
nuttiness again giving
a savoury quality with
a hint of clotted cream
on the close. The
flavours hang in the
mouth, gorgeous.
2020 Black Estate Home Block North Canterbury Chardonnay
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Fascinating nose, a
tingly quality/fruit
sherbet, lime cordial,
bonfire smoke, a hint of
wildness, oak notes
later. Again tingly lift
bringing lightness,
before textural
creaminess and flavour
intensity build. Real
structural backbone
with cellar potential.
Bread dough savoury
notes, tropical fruit,
apricot, apricot kernel, a
bittersweet tanginess
too. Wonderful carry.
2021 Yealands Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Rating Excellent
Stonefruit, nutty characters, spicy
touches, red apple
freshness lurking.
Coolness to this, that
apple crispness comes
through, juicy &
crunchy. Nice vibrancy
and so neatly
integrated that this has
delightful
approachability. Flirts
between stone &
tropical fruits, with
refreshing notes of
mandarin zest and red
apple on the long
close. Post reveal,
excellent vfm here.
2017 Alphonse Mellot Cotes de la Charite Les Penitents Chardonnay
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Fascinating nose,
melon, smoke nuts, a
creamy note. Richly
weighted, creaminess
to both texture &
flavour, melon, peach,
nuttiness evident, with
a bittersweet touch
giving piquancy to the
finish. Great flavour
intensity, balance and
integration, the
flavours hang in the
mouth. Grows in
richness with aeration,
a sour cream like note
adding interest.
