Martinborough Vineyard
Chardonnay
Martinborough, Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand
Found this bottle by accident in my cellar not thinking I had any left. Barrel ferment characters - nutty and mealy notes. Lemon cream on the palate, and, as my previous notes, reminiscent of a Grand Cru Corton Charlemagne. I have said it many times before but the best New Zealand Chardonnays are world class. Still fresh and tastes young - nothing like 8 years of age. The following day funky slightly smelly aromas like old tea towel. Decanter Magazine (UK) awarded this wine in 2014 I think, the best Chardonnay outside Burgundy.
Found this bottle by accident in my cellar not thinking I had any left. Barrel ferment characters - nutty and mealy notes. Lemon cream on the palate, and, as my previous notes, reminiscent of a Grand Cru Corton Charlemagne. I have said it many times before but the best New Zealand Chardonnays are world class. Still fresh and tastes young - nothing like 8 years of age. The following day funky slightly smelly aromas like old tea towel. Decanter Magazine (UK) awarded this wine in 2014 I think, the best Chardonnay outside Burgundy.
May 10th, 2020Mid Lemon in colour. Notes of Lemon Cream - nutty, leesy,Stone fruit, mineral - not unlike a Grand Cru Corton Charlemagne. Drinking at its peak. In 2015 Decanter Magazine (UK) awarded this as the best Chardonnay outside Burgundy. New Zealand really does produce world class Chardonnays.
Mid Lemon in colour. Notes of Lemon Cream - nutty, leesy,Stone fruit, mineral - not unlike a Grand Cru Corton Charlemagne. Drinking at its peak. In 2015 Decanter Magazine (UK) awarded this as the best Chardonnay outside Burgundy. New Zealand really does produce world class Chardonnays.
Sep 23rd, 2019Won a prestigious competition conducted by Decanter magazine being the Best Chardonnay outside Burgundy. Aromas of lemon cream reminiscent of a Grand Cru Corton Charlemagne. On palate more nectarine and new world fruit than Burgundian minerality but certainly not lacking in the latter. A gorgeous Chardonnay by any measure.
Won a prestigious competition conducted by Decanter magazine being the Best Chardonnay outside Burgundy. Aromas of lemon cream reminiscent of a Grand Cru Corton Charlemagne. On palate more nectarine and new world fruit than Burgundian minerality but certainly not lacking in the latter. A gorgeous Chardonnay by any measure.
Oct 22nd, 2016Named best Chardonnay in the world outside of Burgundy by Decanter magazine UK which is a big call indeed. Subtle tropical fruit nuances. Carrying a little oak but not overly so. Very satisfying. Impressive to out point Aussie Legends Leeuwin Estate and Giaconda. Right up there IMO. 18.
Named best Chardonnay in the world outside of Burgundy by Decanter magazine UK which is a big call indeed. Subtle tropical fruit nuances. Carrying a little oak but not overly so. Very satisfying. Impressive to out point Aussie Legends Leeuwin Estate and Giaconda. Right up there IMO. 18.
Apr 19th, 2015
A very elegant chablis style Chardonnay, more austere and lean than recent vintages but an excellent wine no less.
A very elegant chablis style Chardonnay, more austere and lean than recent vintages but an excellent wine no less.
Feb 8th, 2014Delicious. Full and luscious style. Toasty and nutty. Some apricot aromas that follow through to the palate, with a touch of underripe nectarine.
Delicious. Full and luscious style. Toasty and nutty. Some apricot aromas that follow through to the palate, with a touch of underripe nectarine.
Aug 8th, 2018Loved it! Just wanted to remember a great vineyard during a great trip around New Zealand.
Loved it! Just wanted to remember a great vineyard during a great trip around New Zealand.
Apr 19th, 2017Very enjoyable, if currently a little restrained. Oak is subtle, letting the fruit speak. Melon and stone fruits. Cleansing line of acid. Looking forward to seeing how this develops.
Very enjoyable, if currently a little restrained. Oak is subtle, letting the fruit speak. Melon and stone fruits. Cleansing line of acid. Looking forward to seeing how this develops.
Sep 20th, 2016
Outstanding, oatmeal nose, rich and full mouthfeel, not flabby at all.
Outstanding, oatmeal nose, rich and full mouthfeel, not flabby at all.
Apr 19th, 2015
Nice notes of apricot and melon on the nose with a subtle hint of lemon. Crisp tasting wine with whispering notes of oak. Very tangy acid line. Solid Chardonnay. Was rated by Decanter magazine as the best Chardonnay IN THE WORLD outside of Burgundy.
Nice notes of apricot and melon on the nose with a subtle hint of lemon. Crisp tasting wine with whispering notes of oak. Very tangy acid line. Solid Chardonnay. Was rated by Decanter magazine as the best Chardonnay IN THE WORLD outside of Burgundy.
Mar 13th, 2015