Although some of these tasting notes may be found elsewhere on this site, this page brings together most of my Chardonnay notes, listed alphabetically by Producer. Click here for rating systems and abbreviations.

Felton Road Bannockburn Central Otago Chardonnay 2009 (sc) Light yellow gold in colour with peach and mealy nuances to the perfumed aroma and bright fruit flavours well defined underlying acidity, spicy oak and a zesty finish. Full-bodied and smooth and delicious already. 14.5% alc. $36.99. 23Jun2010.

Mills Reef Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2009 (sc) Moderate gold. Quite youthful smelling though has richness and hints of sweetness too. Lightly oaked with tropical fruit and stonefruit flavours, a hint of a savoury spicy backbone and a fruity finish. 13.5% alc. $18.95. 12Jul2010.

Mills Reef Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2009 (sc) This is a hugely fragrant wine with crushed almonds, smoke, vanilla and a hint of cream. That distinctive nuttiness continues through to the big, juicy palate with caramel-edged oak and 'juicy fruit' chewing gum freshness. Youthful and bright with a long rounded finish. A 'stand-up options' wine. 14% alc. $19.99. 2Jun2010.

Moana Park Vineyard Selection Grange Block Chardonnay 2009 - Hawkes Bay (sc) There is a freshness to the cedary oak scent of this light gold coloured toasty babe. A fruity wine with oak playing a minor background role, it has a smooth creamy texture and a long fresh finish with malolactic during the winemaking process adding a modicum of butteriness. 13.5% alc. $14.99. 28Apr2010.

Sacred Hill Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2009 (sc) Light gold, clear and bright. A little toffeeish on the nose with scents of caramel glazed peaches and smoky oak. The buttery caramel flavours are more prominent in the palate, coating the mouth with juicy ripe peach and a touch of tangy citrus zest to balance the perceived sweetness. Well integrated spicy oak plays a supporting role in the background. 13% alc. $20.90. 9Jan2010.

Spy Valley Marlborough Unoaked Chardonnay 2009 (sc) Light gold with pineapple nuances to the mealy scent, the tropical fruit character carrying through to the creamy palate that's enhanced with a hint of passionfruit and a savoury mealy character from some aging on yeast lees. A delicious, fresh, juicy summery style for drinking. Excellent fruit weight. If I was given a glass of this I'd really enjoy it. 14 % alc. $16.90. 30Dec2009.

Tolaga Bay Lightly Oaked Chardonnay 2009 (sc)Tempts with its appealing bouquet of peaches and pears and tastes light and fresh with a lightly oily texture that imparts a satin smooth mouthfeel. There's a touch of spice from the subtle oak, lots of juicy fruitiness and a touch of savouriness too and while light to start, this wine makes an impact on the palate with a richness to the finish and pleasing persistent flavours. A gorgeous peachy Chardonnay that is beaut served well chilled and enjoyed as a beverage wine, or with food. We accompanied the wine with chicken breasts served with a fresh peach sauce - a favourite at this time of year. 13% alc. $14.95. 13Feb2010.

Tolaga Bay Unoaked Chardonnay 2009 (sc) Similar in flavour profile to the lightly oaked but with more acidity that adds a bright zestiness. Warm and just a little nutty with a smooth texture, juicy tropical fruit and the zing of peach sherbet on the finish, it was good enough to receive a silver medal in the 2009 Air New Zealand Wine awards. 13% alc. $14.95. 13Feb2010.

Vidal Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2009 (sc) Melon and tropical fruit aromas and fruity flavours - shows little influence of oak but has a spicy savoury richness to the finish. 14% alc. $20. 12Jul2010.

Westbrook Barrique Fermented Marlborough/Auckland Chardonnay 2009 (sc) Hints of butterscotch on the nose and malty, creamy flavours with soft spicy oak, hints of citrus and melon and stonefruit and a long last finish. A blend of 66% Marlborough and 33% Waimauku fruit, fans of the 2007 triple Trophy winner take note - this is from the same delicious mould. 13.5% alc. $18.99. 2Jun2010.

Bouldevines Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Light gold. Youthful, slightly estery scent - pear drop, bubble gum, a little floral. A fruit-driven wine with subtle oak, a savoury backbone, a touch of citrus and apricot emerging on the tropical fruit finish - becoming richer and more complex with time with a hint of caramel on the lingering finish. 14% alc. $27. 12Jul2010.

Boundary Vineyards Tukituki Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) A light-gold coloured, juicy, ripe fruited, peachy Chardonnay with a savoury, leesy backbone. On the nose it's all fruit with little influence of oak despite that it has been barrel fermented in Hungarian oak, 25% new. In the palate it's ripe and clean, becoming quite mealy and savoury on the finish with a hint of creamy caramel and the peach and apricot-like fruit balanced by moderate acidity. 13.5% alc. $19.95. 16/20. 26Mar2009.

Cape Campbell Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 (sc) A juicy, tropical fruited Chardonnay with a light savoury backbone and hints of banana and the oak that is so very subtle. An easy-going style on the light side of medium bodied, it's clean, fruity and bright. 3 stars. $20. 26Apr2009.

Catalina Sounds Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Seems like a big, fat, buttery style on first tasting with spicy oak, honey and savoury lees nuances - but there's a pleasing restraint to the wine with citrus characterising the dry, flinty finish. A brilliant match to a decadent butter poached crayfish ravioli. 10Mar2010.

Charles Wiffen Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 (sc) A rich gold colour with toasty oak and butter caramel aromas, this smooth creamy wine has rich, brash, oaky flavours with a malty, mealy influence and fruit in the tropical fruit and stonefruit spectrum with a hint of grapefruit. There's an oily veneer to the finish and butter caramel and toasty oak flavours linger. 13.5% alc. $19.99. 9Dec2009.

Church Road Cuve Series Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Light yellow gold in colour, this has a tight, malt-infused aroma and powerful flavours. It's rich, creamy, spicy and harmonious with fruit in the stonefruit spectrum, a flinty undercurrent and a long dry finish. Beautiful wine. 14% alc. $29.99. 5May2010.

Church Road Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) A more restrained yet more sophisticated style when tasted immediately after the Saint Clair. This fine-textured wine has aromas of smoky French oak, nuts, fig and citrus and a mealy undercurrent to the harmonious stonefruit flavours with richness and roundness to the long savoury finish where a nougat-like sweetness lingers. A classy wine with good palate weight. 14% alc. $34.99. 10Mar2010.

Clearview Beachhead Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Light lemon gold. This is a lighter style Chardonnay with oak seemingly secondary to the abundant apricot and melon scents, but it's reasonably oaky to the taste with a smooth texture and a creamy mealy backbone. Buttered toast lingers on the finish but the fruit is the winner on the day. 14% alc. $22.99. 17Jun2009.

Cognoscenti Gisborne Chardonnay 2008 (sc) ”Oaky, smoky, hokey pokey” is the new slogan for First Glass style Chardonnays and yes, this is oaky and smoky with lots of hokey pokey. It's also smooth and creamy with spicy oak, grilled pineapple and stonefruit and simply oozing ripeness and drinkability. Made by Waimata Wines, it was one of only 11 gold medal winners at the Gisborne International Chardonnay Challenge this year. 14.2% alc. $14.99. 8Jul2009.

Coopers Creek Swamp Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Gold in colour with strong cedary oak flavours, spice and nectarine, the fruit explodes in the palate with a seam of citrus and there's a bready richness to the savoury finish. 14% alc. $25.99. 28Apr2010.

Craggy Range Seven Poplars Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Oily and creamy with a distinctive butterscotch caramel flavour, this is a smooth, ripe, juicy wine with a smoky aura and hints of fig and nougat. Very tasty and slips down easily. Totally hits the spot. Very, very good. 14% alc. $24.99. 14Jul2010.

Craggy Range Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2008 - Hawkes Bay (sc) Light gold with nutty, citrussy scents that have a mealy nuance. After the Cloudy Bay this is such a lean, flinty wine with focussed acidity and a creamy lactic undercurrent, filling out to a rounded, spicy nutty finish. Seems a little similar to the 'Pania' tasted last month in the Cuisine Top 10 Chardonnays - if you liked that wine, you will love this. 14% alc. $26.99. 19May2010.

Crossroads Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) This light, zesty style of Chardonnay is pale gold in colour with a nutty character to the scent and citrus, nectarine and delicate salted caramel flavours. It builds in richness in the palate and the finish is smooth. 14.5% alc. $16.99. 2Dec2009.

Cypress Terraces Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Light gold. Creamy oak and butterscotch aromas and smooth creamy textured flavours of butterscotch, savoury oak, spice peaches and cream. Lovely harmony throughout with a seamless flow and a punchy vibrancy to the juicy finish. Yum. 14.5% alc. $31.99. 16Sep2009.

Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Light gold. Melon on nose with just a hint of barrel ferment. Fruit driven palate, creamy in texture with mealy nuances coming through with a backing of vanilla custard and zesty spices. Tropical fruit and nectarine fruit is harmonious to the backbone and the finish is long. Not a big oaky number, just lots of Chardonnay fruit character. "Really nice," said Neil. 14% alc. $24.50. 22Oct2009.

Felton Road Central Otago Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Light yellow gold. A little soapy, floral on the nose with a nutty infusion to the subtle French oak. Flinty and nutty to start with citrus and apple, a hint of lemon blossom and honeysuckle - an unusually floral style with a touch of sweetness and some mineral salts too - perhaps a flicker of Chablis before fleshing out to a creamy finish with a touch of French polish. A wine for the cellar right now. 14% alc. $36.99. 22Jul2009.
Creamy, mellow scents lead into a moderately oaky palate with a buttery layer and a hint of caramel. The texture is beautifully slippery, there's lots of fruit - melon, citrus, stonefruit - and the wine has a serious earthy/mealy/malty depth. 14% alc. $36.99. 21Oct2009.

Frizzell Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Fermented in tanks and transferred to barrel, there's little oak influence on the nose and it's quite creamy / lightly oily textured. Medium-bodied in palate weight, the gentle oak component comes through with a butterscotch sweetness and the peachy fruit is juicy, fleshy and fresh with a zesty, sweet orange tang to the lingering finish where the yeast lees aging has added a creamed nut complexity. 13% alc. $22. 3.5 stars. 2Mar2009.

Goldridge Premium Reserve Barrique Matured Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Bright light gold. Mealy, barrel ferment aromas and ripe creamy flavours - there's citrus, stonefruit and butterscotch with a light touch of toasty oak and the finish is dry with savoury intonations. 13.5% alc. $22. 23Apr2009.

Hunters Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 (sc) This pale gold wine is a light fruity expression with a creamy texture, a nutty backbone from the aging on yeast lees and when chilled, oak seems to play a very minor role. The bright fresh fruity flavours are in the grapefruit, white peach and white melon spectrum and the oak pushes through add subtle toastiness to the finish. 14% alc. $19.50. 2Dec2009.

Hyperion Helios Matakana Chardonnay 2008 (D) Oak adds complexity to this light gold coloured, medium to full-bodied, fruit driven style. Fruit is in the peach and tropical fruit spectrum and there's something reminiscent of freshly baked bread crusts with a scraping of butter. A touch of lemon zest adds brightness. Can imagine this would be super with scallops or white fish fillets served with a buerre blanc. 14% alc. $25. 7 Nov 2009.

Jackson Estate Shelter Belt Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Very light in colour, this wine seems very fruity on first tasting with the oak playing a subtle role in the background. It reminds me of both the Hunter's and the Cape Campbell from the vintage - these gold medal wines light and fruity to start with oak having little influence but getting richer and richer in the glass. There's a nice creamy, nutty yeast-lees barrel ferment influence coming through and tangy citrus characters characterise the finish. Matched to a fettuccine with a creamy Carbonara sauce, the acidity in the wine cuts through the fatness of the sauce. 13.5 % alc. $22.50. 29Dec2009.

Kumeu River Village Chardonnay 2008 - Kumeu (sc) Smoky nutty aromas with a hint of melon. Quite Chablis in style with little influence of oak, it has nutty mealy flavours infused with grape and hints of tropical fruit and a lightly creamy texture underpinned by a dry flinty backbone. The mouthfeel is what makes this wine stand out and it grows in perfume, stature, richness and power. 13% alc. $13.99. 9Jun2010.

Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2008 - Kumeu (sc) There’s a more definitive citrus tang to this smoky nutty wine with layers of stone fruit and fine oak on the nose and you immediately sense the complexity that this wine exudes when you taste it. With citrus zest, smoky savoury oak and a flinty undercurrent to the well-balanced buttery backbone, it's bright and fresh with a very long dry finish. 13.5% alc. $24.99. 9Jun2010.

Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay 2008 - Kumeu (sc) Perfumed with citrus blossom and grapefruit zest, this ripe, rich wine has bright, lifted, fine citrussy flavours with a hint of butter caramel adding softness and creaminess to the mouthfeel. Tight, elegant, dry and nutty with pretty mandarin characters that sing, it expands on the palate to become round and full with toasty oak and stonefruit complementing the sweet citrus finish. 13.5% alc. $41.99. 9Jun2010.

Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2008 - Kumeu (sc) Very appealing savoury, mealy and delicately smoky aromas infused with stonefruit, lemon verbena and grapefruit zest, the grapefruit zest is even more pronounced in the palate. Dry, rich, steely yet warm, it expands in richness and power with citrus-like acidity driving the long, rich, dry finish with mealy flavours and savoury oak adding to its overall allure. 13.5% alc. $41.99. 9Jun2010.

Kumeu River Mate's Chardonnay 2008 - Kumeu (sc) Nutty aromas with hints of stonefruit - the scents are restrained compared to the others. Rich and powerful in the palate with complex, mouthfilling mealy flavours infused with finely toasted nutty oak, citrus, nuts, nougat and pear with a malty richness to the lasting finish and a vinous sweetness coming through. There's an extra dimension and weight to this wine that cones from the old vines, and the texture is simply sublime. 13.5% alc. $46.99. 9Jun2010.

Lochiel Estate Mangawhai Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Light gold colour, peaches and creamy aroma and delicious ripe stonefruit flavours of peach, yellow plum and nectarine with lots of spicy oak to complete the package. A big rich creamy wine with well-balanced underlying acidity. Nice. 14.5% alc. $24.99. 19Aug2009.

Man O War Waiheke Island Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Golden in colour with a hint of zest to the toasty aroma, this big, rich, powerful wine is totally flamboyant - a style that lovers of big, bold oaky wines will love. Creamy and buttery with a mealy undercurrent and concentrated ripe peach taming the spicy oak then an exotic citrussy brightness to the toasty finish and a long, creamy, caramelised stonefruit aftertaste. Beautifully rounded with gorgeous mouthfeel. Excellent. 14.5% alc. $22.99. 28Apr2010.

Matahiwi Holly Wairarapa Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Chardonnay it is. Most definitely. Creamy with lightly toasted smoky, oak, peach and nectarine. Deep and tasty, yet spicy and bright - even a nuance of pineapple perhaps. But it is the savoury characters that win the flavour stakes on the day. Jane Cooper is really crafting some lovely distinctive wines from the Wairarapa and surrounding regions for the Matahiwi and Alexia labels. 13.5% alc. $25.95. 17Oct2009.

Mission Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Light yellow gold with aromas of caramel and spice that are a little subdued to start and flavours of grapefruit and stonefruit with a richness to the texture. A wine that doesn't overpower but makes its presence gently felt with a long finish with juicy fruit salad aftertaste. Fabulous buy. 13% alc. $12.99. 2Dec2009.

Mission Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) A lovely medium-bodied Hawkes Bay chardonnay with savoury French oak, a creamy texture, peach and melon fruit and a smoky nuance to the spicy finish. Lots of mealy, leesy characters add to the complexity and it can take chilling too. 13.5% alc. $19.99. 30Sep2009.
Light gold. Hints of butterscotch on the nose and creamy flavours with a touch of caramel underpinned with citrus and a rounded toasty finish. Very nice right now. 13.5% alc. $19.99. 5May2010.

Montana Gisborne Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Very light gold. Fruit aromas with little indication of oak. Light, fresh, fruity flavour with lime sherbet and a fizzy fruit lolly character. Bright, fresh, zest and summery - and to be consumed on such carefree days. 13% alc. $17.95 (full price). 10Dec2009.

Mudbrick Reserve Waiheke Is Chardonnay 2008 (sc) A powerful wine with grapefruit and struck flint the key aromatics and strong leesy, malty, barrel fermented flavours with plenty of sweet citrus brimming through and a smoky savoury finish. A big wine with some oak tannin and butterscotch nuances, it really needs a big Burgundy styled glass for utmost enjoyment. 14.5% alc. $35.99. 18Nov2009.

Murdoch James Martinborough Blue Rock Unoaked Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Bright, zesty and spicy with fresh tropical fruit and stone fruit with well balanced citrus-like acidity and a pleasing mealy savouriness from aging on yeast lees, this is a light to medium-bodied alternative to Pinot Gris - and better than many of those often far too neutral wines. 3.5 stars for quality but at full price, far too expensive. 13.5% alc. $27. 25Apr2009.

Neudorf Nelson Chardonnay 2008 (sc) A savoury, nutty wine, slightly oily, or perhaps glycerolic in texture and a deep, creamed nut flavour with tropical fruit, pineapple, apricot and biscuit and a peachy character to the finish. A sensational wine already and makes you wonder just how good Neudorf's top tier 'Moutere' will be. 13.5% alc. $29.00. 4Dec2009.

Omaka Springs Falveys Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay 2007 (sc) Yellow gold colour. Toasty aromas with stonefruit and delicate tropical fruit scents and fresh, fruity flavours with a lightly creamy texture, a nutty mealy backbone, a zing of citrus and a spicy oak toastiness to the tingly finish. Can be served well chilled, as this is how we tasted it. 14% alc. $15.99. 3Feb2010.

Riverby Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Light gold, clear and bright in the glass. A hint of oak spice amongst the peaches and cream of the bouquet. Slightly phenolic in palate with acidity that is crisp and fresh and just a little biting. Fruit is in citrus / tropical fruit spectrum and there's a biscuity complexity but oak is quite dominant on the finish and the aftertaste is a little sour and bitter. Seems to be in a closed phase. 14.5% alc. $25. 16Aug2009.
Lemon gold with a lime glint. Lots of oak-derived scent with a stonefruit overtone. Rich and fat to the taste with oak the upfront characters fading in its woody demeanour to become quite nutty and savoury with tingly citrus zest acidity tempered a little by the caramel cream that emerges on the finish with stonefruit flavours lingering. A full-bodied style that needs food - bacon wrapped scallops would do the trick. 14.5 % alc. $25.00. 30Dec2009.
Light gold coloured. Toasted hazelnut aromas and soft creamy flavours with a touch of butterscotch coating the stone fruit and tropical fruit. It’s very dry with well balanced underlying acidity and toasty nuances to the savoury finish. 14.5% alc. $19.99. 10Feb2010.

Sacred Hill Barrel Fermented Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Moderate gold in colour - quite coloured for its age (and deeper than an accompanying 2007 Marlborough chardonnay tasted beside it. Initially high-toned and citrussy, it settles down with stonefruit and spice and a creamy, mlf backbone. Seems far too young with bubble gum esters - it needs some integration time. 13.5% alc. 1.06 $20.90. 10May2009.

Sacred Hill Halo Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Light gold colour. Quite creamy, mealy and nutty with a slightly oily, buttery texture. Lots of citrus, mainly grapefruit and lemon, even slightly lemon honeyish with savoury winemaking characters coming through on the finish. Seems like it need more time because as it opens up in the glass, stonefruit emerges to temper the dominant citrus. Do not over chill. 13.5% alc. $25.90. 3Dec2009.

Saint Clair Premium Series Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 (sc) A very appealing Chardonnay with a toasty caramel aroma and smooth, creamy, rounded, savoury flavours studded with oak spice and delicious citrus, melon and tropical fruit. There's a youthful vibrancy to the wine and a lingering impression of butterscotch. Very easy to enjoy. 13% alc. $17.99. 10Mar2010.
Light yellow gold with a toasty aura to the bouquet and ripe, creamy, stonefruit and spice flavours with an accent of sweet citrus and butterscotch on the toasty finish. Surprisingly good with several gold medals to it’s name. 13% alc. $17.99. 28Apr2010.

Saints Gisborne Chardonnay 2008 (sc) moderate yellow gold - actually the colour is quite yellow for such a young wine. A fresh fruity number with a fragrance of tropical fruit and nutty oak that carries through to the juicy palate where there's lots of pineapple and citrus zest too. Oak sits gently in the background and savoury, mealy nuances add complexity. Easy going medium-bodied style with plenty of drink now appeal. 16.5/20. 13% alc. $19.95. 27Jun2009.

Seifried Nelson Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Pale gold. Malty, honeyed oak aromas with a hint of citrus. Rich and savoury to the taste with spicy oak, grilled stonefruit and flavours reminiscent of muesli with cashew and caramel adding to the complexity. Served chilled, as this sample was, the grapefruit-like acidity is enhanced but it becomes fatter as it warms up and the finish is rich, toasty and long. 14% alc. $16.99. 6May2009.

Selaks Winemaker's Favourite Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Light lustrous gold. Peach, melon and cashew on the nose and rich and creamy flavours with plenty of succulent peach and melon fruit, toasty oak and a creme caramel finish. Very appealing, drink now style. 13.5% alc. $21. 28May2009.

Soho Carter Waiheke Island Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Medium gold. On the nose it's quite smoky and just a little savoury with a hint of a salty tang to the scent. This is a strange wine, a nutty wine with hints of marzipan and raisins, a lean finish and a slightly rancid butter aftertaste. This wine polarised the Cuisine panel and polarised the First Glass tasters too - there was talk of bottle variation in the room. Named for Maximus Carter, the vineyard dog. 14% alc. $35.99. 28Apr2010.

Spinyback Nelson Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Creamy on nose, apple and peach in palate, Spice, leesy and zesty with initially little influence of oak, it becomes quite nutty and rich, morphing into a full-bodied powerful wine with juicy tropical fruit and a creamy finish. Needs decanting for best results. An awesome value for money proposition. 14.5% alc. $14.90. 5Apr2009.
When this is tasted at room temperature, it's bright and fresh with a smooth creamy texture and a butterscotch complexity. The juicy tropical fruit sings while oak strums away in the background. But serve it chilled and the oak moves into the foreground and displays its toasty veneer yet always with that beautiful balance of fruit. 14.5% alc. $15.99. 30Sep2009.
There's a richness to the light yellow gold colour to this bright, fresh, juicy wine with tropical fruit scents and grilled peach, caramel and nutty oak flavours, a citrussy finish and smoky oak in the background. 14.5% alc. $15.99. 2Dec2009.

Spy Valley Marlborough Unoaked Chardonnay 2008 (sc) An immediate impression of sweet fruit in the palate - apple, citrus, orange sherbet, and a hint of pineapple. Light to medium-bodied in palate weight and well rounded with a creamy texture and lots of juicy appeal. 3.5 stars. 13.5% alc. $17. 25Apr2009.

Te Mania Nelson Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Ripe fruit absolutely brims through this light gold wine. Pineapple, peach, rock melon and citrus with a nutty undercurrent and a subtle savoury oak backbone. A well balanced, juicy fresh drink with lots of appeal. 14% alc. $19.99. 4Dec2009.

Te Mania Reserve Nelson Chardonnay 2008 (sc) The oak is much more restrained than in previous versions of this wine and personally I like the oak regime in this wine - it has impact without overpowering. It is rich (but not overly rich), mealy, savoury and nutty with that fruit seen in the estate wine trying to escape. Later I detect grilled stonefruit and very subtle pineapple, figs and even a suggestion of coconut. 14% alc. $27.99. 4Dec2009.

Te Mata Elston Chardonnay 2008 – Hawkes Bay (D) Light yellow gold. On the nose it's quite tightly bound at this stage of life - delicately smoky with nut bread and hints of peach. Quite nutty in the palate too, nutty and savoury with orange peel, hints of tropical fruit, nectarine and a creamy, yeast lees influence with spicy French oak flavours that comes in waves. Texture is fine and everything seems beautifully in harmony although it will become bigger and richer over the next 3-4 years. 13.5% alc. $33.99. 5Aug2009.
Lightly chilled, as the wine was served on the night, is exactly the right temperature to enjoy this iconic wine. On first tasting it's big, rich and creamy with beautifully proportioned oak creating a harmonious layer with the other complex flavours. There's nougat and a hint of peach supported by a savoury, mealy undercurrent with a zing of citrus on the long, bright finish where a creamy peach and tropical fruit sweetness lingers - even a suggestion of pineapple chiffon. This 2008 spent 13 months in barrel, an extra 3 months over recent previous vintages. 13.5% alc. $28.99. 17Mar2010.

Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) A more savoury, winemaker-influenced style, it's a little tight to start with a hint of grapefruit, among the distinctive citrussy flavours with peach and tropical fruit pushing through and a rich, tangy finish with excellent length. Powerful and flavourful, this gets better and better in the glass and of the two it won the popular vote. 14% alc. $27.99. 14Apr2010.

Vavasour Awatere Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Golden yellow with creamy, mealy, barrel ferment scents - inviting from the outset. A change of tack with this wine, it is savoury and nutty with a salty tang and the allure of the romantic fig. It’s a lean style as it crosses the palate but the flavours are rich, full and lasting. 14.5% alc. $19.99. 28Apr2010.

Vidal Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Bright gold coloured with smoky, savoury, classy oak scents, this is a rich wine with a clean citrus infusion, a savoury intonation, nuts and figs and a malty richness to the finish. There's concentrated stonefruit brooding in the background and while the creamy oak is strong and forward, it integrates nicely with lots of swirling. 14% alc. $25.99. 28Apr2010.

Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Light yellow gold. Lovely mealy, malty, honey on toast scents with classic Hawkes Bay stonefruit adding to the tantalising allure. On the first taste the oak seems a little dominant but then the fruit comes through and the oak is in harmony to the fleshy peach, melon and citrus flavours. Full-bodied and complex, beautifully balanced, creamy and long, a spiciness comes through on the finish that is very long. Very good now - will be even more beautiful with time. 20% wild ferment. 10 months in French oak. 55% new. 14.5% alc. 20May2009.
Light yellow gold in colour, this beautiful wine entices from the outset with its scent of florals intertwined with nutty French oak and creamy yeast lees and flavours that show skilful winemaking while preserving the fruit. There's citrus and stonefruit with creme brulee and caramel - a barrique ferment chardonnay with power and length. Delicious. 14.5% alc. $25.99. 9Dec2009.
Lovely barrel-ferment aromas with nuances of grapefruit, nougat and stone fruit carry through to the fine textured palate. Spicy and savoury with excellent fruit weight, layers of malty richness, creamy oak and a long dry finish, it is still evolving yet already revealing great potential. 14.5% alc. $25.99. 10Mar2010.

Waimea Nelson Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Pale straw gold. Earthy, savoury, leesy aromas with a subtle hint of grapefruit. Grapefruit fills the palate in this full-on leesy, barrel-ferment style driven by the underlying acidity with a slightly bitter, savoury finish. Quite dry on the finish with slight reductive notes too. With decanting it becomes quite creamy in the palate with citrus and spice. A medium-bodied, fruit driven style. 14.5% alc. $21.90. 5Apr2009.
Light lemon gold. A peaches and cream Chardonnay on the nose and toasty oak flavours with a creamy oily texture and plenty of citrus and the slightest suggestion of pineapple. The wine has a mealy undercurrent and caramel emerges on the lingering finish. Can definitely take chilling because that's how we had it. 14.5% alc. $16.99. 6Jan2010.

West Brook Barrique Fermented Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Served chilled, this is oaky, toasty, buttery and creamy with a crisp, citrussy freshness. It is fruity yet savoury with juicy stonefruit, lots of creamy French oak and a long, spicy oak finish. 13.4% alc. $16.99. 3Mar2010.
Light gold in colour, this wine seems deceptively light at first, possibly because of its order in the tasting, but it soon shows its power as it builds in the palate. A creamy wine with a citrussy tone, it has juicy stonefruit enhanced by caramel overtones, creamy oak and a bright, spicy finish. 13.4% alc. $17.99. 28Apr2010.

West Brook Waimauku Estate Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Light nutty oak scent and rounded creamy flavours with caramel nuances, silky savoury oak and nectarine-like fruit. Medium to full-bodied, expressive and a little reminiscent of the trophy winning 2007 although this vintage is 100% Auckland fruit. Far too easy to drink. We loved it. 13.5 % alc. $28.90. 30Dec2009.
Brilliant gold. Full, rich, fruity aromatics with hints of pineapple and a suggestion of butterscotch, this impression carries through to the full-bodied spicy palate. Texturally complex, it coats the tongue and leaves a rich bready flavour with a fruit bread complexity and spicy grilled peach. Bright. Lively. Very good. 13.5% alc. $25.99. 28Apr2010.

Wild South Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Pale lemon gold. Light fruit style with tropical fruit and citrus aromas. Creamy texture and lightly nutty with spicy oak playing a warm but subtle role in the background. Lovely fruit-filled mouthfilling finish. Great, fresh, summery style. 13% alc. $18.90. 10Dec2009.

Wild Rock Pania Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 (sc) Light gold, with a hint of butterscotch on the nose, this is a creamy, lactic style with a warm presence in the mouth, plenty of spicy oak and a flinty undercurrent to the stonefruit flavours. A little grainy in texture with a long, sweet, ripe fruited smoky finish, perhaps even creme brulee. 14% alc. $17.99. 28Apr2010.