Look out for the Taste Top Wine Award stickers on these bottles at supermarkets and selected liquor retailers.
Less than $20
Raparua Springs 2017 Reserve Chardonnay Marlborough $16.99
Quite a weighty, textural Chardonnay with white peach, grapefruit, sizzled butter and integrated oak flavours. Good value at this price.
Kumeu River 2017 Village Chardonnay Auckland $18
Light, fresh, tangy Chardonnay with ginger, biscuit, grapefruit and subtle hazelnut flavours. A personal favourite of mine.
TW 2017 Gold Chardonnay Gisborne $17.99
Peaches and cream Chardonnay with good purity and balance and a suggestion of appealing oyster shell/mineral character.
Momo 2017 Chardonnay Marlborough $19
Light, fresh and attractive Chardonnay with gentle white peach, citrus/grapefruit and subtle biscuit-like oak/lees flavours. Smooth-textured wine in a deliciously drinkable style.
$20-$30
Church Road 2016 Grand Reserve Chardonnay Hawke’s Bay $30
Rich, creamy and complex Chardonnay, with peach, toast, bran biscuit, cashew nut and subtle struck-flint flavours adding a touch of class.
Mount Riley 2016 Seventeen Valley Chardonnay Marlborough $27.99
Very stylish Marlborough Chardonnay with apple, nectarine, grapefruit, nutty oak and a tantalising hint of mineral character.
Forrest 2014 Chardonnay Marlborough $25
Rich, developed, concentrated and weighty Chardonnay with impressive complexity. Flavoursome wine that’s great value at this price.
Pukeora 2016 Ruahine Range Chardonnay Hawke’s Bay $27
Rich and quite developed wine with ginger nut, chalky mineral, toast, roasted nut and spicy oak flavours. Suits quite rich dishes such as roast chicken or roast pork.
More than $30
Bell Hill 2015 Chardonnay Canterbury $120
Powerful, linear Chardonnay with a strong chalk/mineral character that’s supported by a backbone of ripe acidity, which drives a lengthy finish. Iconic wine that will age well.
Elephant Hill 2016 Salome Chardonnay Hawke’s Bay $75
Elephant Hill’s flagship Chardonnay with bright lime/citrus, subtle tree fruit and delicate oyster shell/mineral flavours. A wine of power and finesse.
Craggy Range 2016 Les Beaux Cailloux Chardonnay Hawke’s Bay $150
Delicate ethereal Chardonnay with impressive purity and underlying power. Fine-boned and quite linear wine with citrus, mineral/oyster shell, and reasonably assertive oak flavours.
Dog Point 2016 Chardonnay Marlborough $37
Ripe, stylish and quite complex Chardonnay with grapefruit, white peach, nectarine, bran biscuit and subtle mineral/oyster shell flavours. Elegant and appealing wine.
