2023 Main Divide by Pegasus Bay North Canterbury Chardonnay
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Wisps of bonfire smoke,
nectarine, peach, nutty
aspects, fine oak
seasoning. Supple and
generous, good depth of
flavour yet also lovely
freshness with the
palate adding a little
spice and
butterscotch to the
characters met
previously. This is
honest, very typical of
its variety and so darn
drinkable, and (post
reveal) excellent value
for money.
NV Giesen 0% Chardonnay
Rating Very Good
Attractive, subtly
expressed nose with
nutty/biscuity notes,
white peach and a
touch of caramel.
Tasted blind, clearly
lightness to the palate
typical of zero alcohol
wines, but still
clearly chardonnay,
as white peach
melds with rice
bubbles and a
caramel note, with
very good length. A
little wet stone/iron
filings too. Not for
fans of big, buttery,
oaky chardonnays.
2023 Chard Farm Closeburn Chardonnay
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Appealing nose with
stone fruits and white
peach, a nutty
backdrop, wisps of
lanolin/clotted cream.
Cooling in the mouth,
fresh and crisp, again
that white peach
with refreshing
grapefruit-like
nuances. Good
flatter depth, juicy,
bright and engaging.
Shows more grip
with air as fruit-pithy
chewiness joins the
mix, calling out for
food in its youth.
2023 Chard Farm Judge & Jury Chardonnay
Rating Very Good to Excellent
There’s nothing out of place
here, it’s all about the
integration. Coolness,
nuttynuances, attractive
subtlety. Again that cooler
feel in the mouth, fresh
acidity, flinty minerality,
lime juice, some chewy
tannins adding to the
whole. Not over-
forced, there’s a wisp
of oak spice now,
developing an
attractive crunchiness,
refreshing with sapidity
on the close.
Springs Rohe Southern Valleys Chardonnay 2023 Rapaura
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Boldly aromatic, ripe tropical
fruits, refined oak, spice
hints. Wonderful purity of
fruit, so elegant and
beautifully composed,
suppleness and textural
richness yet with a
backbone of citrussy
acidity that keeps this
fresh. No mistaking the
ripe fruit and generosity
of flavour, a little touch
of brioche and spice
adding to the close. So
drinkable right off the
bat.
2023 Monte Christo Central Otago Chardonnay
Rating Very Good to Excellent
A classically Central nose
I’m guessing, refined, elegant,
nutty, tending to stone fruits
rather than tropical. The palate
shows its youthful side with
a degree of tautness, the
elements here but not totally
coming out to play. Air time
sees a toasty character,
the fruit now picking up
peachy notes, some
lemony citrus and
bittersweet almondy
qualities framing the
close.
2023 Maude Mt Maude Central Otago Chardonnay
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Perfumed, a hint of
intrigue, spiced apple,
tropical fruits, grilled
nuts, fine oak
seasoning, drawing
youback for more.
Creamy texture
underpinned by racy,
almost grapefruit
liken acidity, energy
and vibrancy, lovely
fruit depth with a
wonderfully long,
nut-accented finish.
With air a wisp of
gunflint on the nose,
this is oh so
drinkable yet has
clear potential too.
2023 The Marlborist Marlborough Chardonnay
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Gorgeous nose,
fragrance, ripe white
peaches, fine oak
seasoning, a sense of
refinement. The palate
brings an engaging
juiciness and
chewiness, the
interplay between that
and the great fruit
intensity creating
wonderful tension.
Along, long finish,
you’re left with a
sense of elegance.
Superb drinkability
yet no doubting the
potential either.
