It's good to see chardonnay is coming back into fashion. I love a good chardonnay for its mouth-filling citrus or stonefruit flavours, subtle nutty, buttery or toasty oak, and its crisp dry finish.
BEST VALUE
$23
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
A fine wine with attractive hints of grapefruit supported by nicely integrated, nutty oak. It's a restrained, understated wine, tightly structured, textural and concentrated with a crisp dry finish.
BEST VALUE
$18
Three and a half stars
Good value
At three years old, this is integrated and mouth-filling with hints of citrus, pineapple and peaches and a creamy finish. Simple but attractive and well priced. Available on line.
$21
Three and a half stars
Average value
This silky-textured wine has lots of biscuity, toasty oak underlying the restrained fruit, and a bright, crisp finish.
Well structured with a lingering aftertaste. Very drinkable.
$22
Three and a half stars
Average value
Hints of butterscotch, toasted cashews and nectarines characterise this attractive, mouth-filling wine. It's intense, well balanced and lingers on the aftertaste.
$26
Four stars
Average value
An understated wine, elegant with hints of stone fruit and oatmeal, a creamy nuttiness and suggestions of butterscotch and poached peaches on the crisp finish.
$33
Four and a half stars
Average value
A big, showy wine, oozing smoky, toasty oak, creme brûlée and buttered nuts topped with sweet ripe fruit. It certainly calls attention to itself with its concentration and intensity - you have to wait for the rollercoaster in your mouth to subside then savour the long, textural finish.
ANOTHER GLASS
Tohu Marlborough chardonnay 2012
$22
Three stars
Below average value
A crisp, unoaked wine with hints of herbs, stone fruit, cooked milk and a dry finish.
Palliser Martinborough Chardonnay 2011
$39
Four stars
Average value
A stylish wine with lots of creamy, slightly smoky oak, suggestions of nuts and citrus, greengages and nectarines. It's well well balanced and still very youthful. Another year or two will see it integrate nicely.
