Tasteful chardonnays to reach for at every price point

If there was one recurring comment that I can report from readers it would be asking why I don’t review more less-expensive wines? Quite simply, a significant focus applies to our local Central industry where the wines are never going to be cheap. Moreover, the value labels in the supers pretty much sell themselves and their producers have little need to send them out for review.

I have, however, managed to round up a selection today with four of the wines (on promo) sitting comfortably sub $20, and a couple not too much more. Hope this helps!

 

2022 Ara Single Estate Marlborough Chardonnay

Price RRP $18.99
Rating Very Good to Excellent 

Quietly attractive nose 
offering up stonefruits 
such as nectarine and 
apricot, spice and light 
oak scents. Roundness 
in the mouth, those ripe 
stonefruits contrasted 
by touches of banana 
and grilled nuts with 
quite tangy acidity that 
lends coolness to this. 
A medium-weight style 
with some sweet and 
sour interplay going on 
which would be 
smashing with creamy 
pasta. 

www.arawines.co.nz

 

2022 Main Divide North Canterbury Chardonnay 

Price RRP $21.99
Rating Excellent

Classic struck match 
reductive notes frame 
ripe peach and citrus; 
nice intensity. Generous 
in the mouth, tropical 
fruits, smoke, caramel, 
salted licorice perhaps 
with a line of fresh, 
almost lime citrus 
bringing this home. The 
flavours carry very 
nicely in the mouth, 
growing creaminess, 
with a lovely bittersweet 
note that neatly 
contrasts the ripe fruit.

www.maindivide.com

 

2022 Jules Taylor Marlborough Chardonnay

Price RRP $25
Rating Very Good to Excellent

Bolder nose, 
butterscotch, cooked 
apple, tropical fruits, no 
doubt as to the grape. 
The palate sashays down 
a wee detour with some 
apple skin and melon 
notes before rejoining the 
path with tropical, lanolin 
and sour cream 
characters. Creamy 
richness initially yet a 
lighter feel on the back 
half showing nice 
freshness. In the slot to 
enjoy.

www.julestaylor.com

 

2022 Grove Mill Marlborough Chardonnay

Price RRP $17.99
Rating Very Good to Excellent 

The nose a wee bit 
reticent, teasing out the 
tropical fruit and oak 
seasoning. By contrast, 
the palate is brimming 
with flavour and a 
creamy mouthfeel while 
a little fruit sherbet 
tanginess keeps this 
nice and lively. Aeration 
sees this build nicely 
while retaining that 
lovely zestiness. Really 
hits the refreshment 
factor while having good 
flavour depth. 

www.grovemill.co.nz

 

2022 Montana M Gisborne Chardonnay

Price RRP $19.99
Rating Very Good to Excellent

Gunflint reductive notes 
shifting to charry 
toastiness, tropical fruits 
and banana. Supple, 
quite rounded 
mouthfeel, open and 
very user friendly. Some 
light creaminess to the 
texture, tropical fruits 
again with that touch of 
toasty char on the close. 
No doubt to the variety 
and bang in the slot to 
enjoy. Post reveal; good 
ingredient for the 
money.

www.brancottestate.com

 

2021 Riverby Estate Single Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay

Price RRP $28
Rating Excellent 

Attractive, refined nose, 
smoke, white peach, 
apple. Quite an elegant 
style, not at all forced or 
OTT, with a sense of 
coolness. Creaminess 
and lovely, long carry 
picking up citrus and 
toffee. Understated, it’s 
about balance and 
integration with nice flow 
through the mouth. With 
aeration the smokiness 
builds as does 
complexity and interest. 
Nicely done.

www.riverbyestate.com