I’ve plumped for Chardonnay today as it’s a wine style that can hold its own in any sort of company, working equally well simply enjoyed with friends, as an easy accompaniment to barbecues and gatherings, or as an integral part of a sit-down dinner party.
The selection traverses the country and even across the Tasman, providing plenty to entice.
2019 Orlando Lyndale Adelaide Hills Chardonnay
Price RRP $45
Rating Excellent
Struck match, petrichor, mixed stone and
tropical fruits,
spice, citrus. A lot
going on. A sense
of coolness to the
palate, another
wine where the
palate weight and
richness is
matched by
freshness. This
gets the salivatory
juices flowing.
Time allows notes
of grilled nuts to
build, a wisp of
apricot kernel adds
a drier influence.
Stylish wine that
draws you in.
2019 Orlando Hilary Adelaide Hills Chardonnay
Price RRP $30
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Subtle but rather elegant, nuts, vanilla
bean, ripe
nectarine, rising
perfume. Bolder
on the palate than
the nose might
suggest with
fresh, crisp peach,
spices and toffee
apple, with a
grainy element
adding to the
texture. Time sees
the nose turn more
tropically fruited
as the wine fattens
and broadens in
the mouth.
Classically
chardonnay and
very drinkable.
2019 Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Terraces HB Chardonnay
Price RRP $70
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Struck match and
stony mineral
characters lead,
the fruit lurking,
definitely some
winemaker input
here. Powerfully
expressed palate,
tropical fruits
flowing to cream,
apple and citrus.
Wonderful texture,
and flavour
intensity yet
vivacity too. A lot
going on here, yet
for all its power
there’s lovely
freshness too. I suspect the best is yet
to come.
2019 Te Kairanga John Martin Martinborough Chardonnay
Price RRP $39.99
Rating Excellent
Attractively nutty
nose, a dash of oak
seasoning, the fruit
flitting between
stone and tropical
fruits. Richer,
powerful
mouthfeel,
viscosity here, hints
of clotted cream,
the fruit more
tropical with a wisp
of ‘‘perky nana’’.
Dense and supple,
the acidity
providing a nice
frame. Lots of
flavour and nice
integration, showing a little more youthful
brashness with time.
Price RRP $28
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Subtle but inviting nose, grilled nuts,
citrus, a lactic
note. Juiciness to
the fruit, lending
an almost crunchy
feel to the palate,
with crisp acidity
providing good
framework. The
fruit swells as the
wine opens up,
adding to the
clotted cream and
oak derived
spices, a vanillan
oak note more
apparent as time
goes on. In a good
place to enjoy
now.
Price RRP $34.90
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Perfume, refined
oak scents, subtle
peach and spice
nuances. Full of
life and energy,
crunchy, dancing
on the palate with
an underlying
creaminess of
texture. Tropical
fruits, pineapple
lumps, spices,
lovely integration
and works so
nicely as a whole.
Classy stuff that
will almost
certainly improve
but already lovely. Deliciousness in a
glass.
Price RRP $24.99
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Lanolin, perfume, white flowers, the
fruit neatly in
support, almond
icing. Almond
notes, a fruit
kernel like tang,
peach notes
growing. This feels
really nicely
integrated with
nothing out of
place. A supple
quality to the
palate, yet good
acidity too which
keeps this zesty.
The tanginess
builds with
aeration, adding
grapefruit into the
mix.
Price RRP $22
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Pushes some different buttons,
grapefruit, fruit
sherbet, oatmeal,
fruit pastille, pea
pod/green bean
later. A bittersweet
aspect leads the
palate, joined by
nutty notes,
bonfire embers,
lime and a little
funky nuance,
while bright, crisp
acidity lends a racy
feel to the close.
This one ploughs
its own furrow and
does it with
interest and
intrigue.
