There are times when he could substitute Mark for Jancis as I have a proclivity for scoring on the lower side rather than dishing out high scores willy nilly.
Consequently, following tasting and writing up my notes for today’s wines I did a double take as I have scored them uniformly highly.
I went back to my notes, and can only say that these are a classy set of wines, all of which I would love to be in my cellar, and all deserving your attention.
2023 Domaine Rewa Central Otago Chardonnay
Rating Outstanding
Lots going on, very
aromatic, stone fruit
and peach, clay and
minerality, florality,
light nuttiness, a little
undercurrent of green
herbs, complex.
Delightful palate,
vibrant stonefruits,
hints of nuts, a lactic/
leesy quality, wet stone
backdrop and fine
citrussy acidity that
lends a mouth
quenching quality.
Complex, classy,
elegant, real brightness
and a long, long finish.
2022 Isabel Estate Wild Barrique Wairau Valley Chardonnay
Rating Outstanding
Notes of gunflint and
struck match lead,
backed by white peach,
warm baguette, a little
clotted cream, quite
refined. In the mouth,
depth without weight,
grilled nuts, peach, a
touch of intrigue,
mouth-filling and
beautifully balanced.
The juicy, lip-smacking
close leads to a long,
long citrus inflected
finish. Crunchy, vibrant,
equally at home with or
without food.
2023 Mora Central Otago Chardonnay
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Slatey/schisty
minerality, lemon/
lime, an undercurrent
of nectarine and nuts.
Creamy palate entry,
again nectarine and
citrus notes, nothing
overstated, working so
well as a whole, quiet
depth of flavour draws
you back for more.
With air the wine
opens up, smoke,
spent match and clay
on the nose, now
peach on the palate as
the wine fleshes out
and really engages.
2023 Greywacke Marlborough Chardonnay
Rating Outstanding
Gunflint, tilled earth
lead, the nose swells,
smoke, peach, stony
mineral/oyster shell,
grilled nuts and spice.
Gorgeous nose. The
palate continues the
journey, texture,
balance and integration,
super flavour intensity
and wonderful carry
with nutty influences.
Really fine grip to this
promising more in the
cellar. Now clotted
cream nuances, citrus
zest framing the long
finish.
2024 Ruru Central Otago Chardonnay
Rating Excellent
Ripe, tropically fruited
nose with peach and
melon accents, lime
zest, full cream and
cashew nut backdrop.
Youthful freshness and
chewy grip, again
melon notes, the fruit
now more in the
stonefruit spectrum.
Bright, there’s nice
energy to this with
crisp acidity leaving the
palate refreshed. Magic
with food now and
should repay cellaring
nicely. Post reveal,
great value for money.
2024 Gibbston Valley China Terrace Central Otago Chardonnay
Rating Outstanding
Real freshness here,
something different,
crushed herbs perhaps,
fruit pastille, cream,
nuts, just ripe peach,
hits some different
notes. Beautifully
creamily textured palate,
peach, lime, a fine
leesy/creaminess,
deceptive power and
youthful grip, really
mouth-filling. Develops
gorgeous perfume, now
wisps of salinity on the
palate, there can only be
good things ahead.
