Chardonnay lovers will be all over this wine made from hand picked grapes grown on the Heretaunga Plains in Hawke's Bay. Grapes were whole bunch pressed and
barrel fermented with wild yeasts, which provides rich depth of flavour and a smooth palate mouthfeel; Lees stirring enhances softness and builds structure and weight to this wine, which was aged for 11 months in barrel.

Potiki is Maori for 'last born' and is the apt and evocative name for the newest Chardonnay from Ata Rangi in Martinborough. Fleshy, full bodied and bone dry (as the best Chardonnays are), this is a stunning new wine with richness and balanced acidity adding length to every crisp and succulent sip.

One per person please - thanks

William Fevre is one of Chablis' great wine domaines. On this wine, the palate has excellent grip and is classically bone dry with an unctuous, oily texture. The nose is layered with wet stone and chalk minerality, nuts, pale stone fruit and ripe citrus. Notes of ripe green fruit, bright citrus acidity and a lengthy finish make for an elegant, high end Chablis.

Domaine William Fevre has led the Chablis revival over the past decade with its refined, full bodied, dry white wines, all 100% Chardonnay, of course, as this appellation is devoted entirely and solely to this great white grape variety.

Hand made Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay with depth and delicious intensity of flavour; ripe peachy fruit flavours are balanced by fine crisp fresh acidity and complex notes of creamy texture and a savoury depth that comes through. Aromas of oatmeal, cedar and spice all add layers of flavour to this wine, which was made with grapes grown on three vineyards; 70% Kokako and Ohiti Valley and 30% from the Ascot Vineyard in Havelock North. All grapes in this wine were hand picked, whole bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeasts, 100% malolactic fermentation followed by ageing in barrel on lees for eight months in French oak, 28% new. It was bottled unfined with a light filtration.

“A taut, vibrant white, this offers notes of lemon, white flowers and green apple, with a hint of mint. Defined by its vivid acidity, this remains focused and persistent through the lemony finish. Drink now through 2028”

90 points – Wine Spectator

Nga Waka was established in Martinborough in 1988 and is a family-owned winegrower producing small volumes of fine Martinborough wine from estate-grown grapes.

The Home Block Chardonnay is Nga Waka's flagship white wine. It is 100% barrel fermented and goes through 100% malolactic fermentation, remaining in barrel for 12 months with lees stirring monthly.

The wine is a pale gold colour and is rich and complex with deep, intense spicy and mineral flavours underpinned by tight-grained French oak, barrel fermentation and the malolactic component.

Nga Waka Chardonnay is one of the biggest selling wines at this Martinborough winery cellar door, thanks to its creamy smooth body, balanced by freshness and vibrant citrus flavour notes. 

This wine offers stunning value for money, delivering a full body, bone dry flavours and a long, refreshing finish, thanks to the bright balanced acidity provided from the cool nights in the Martinborough region.

The Cordier family have been making wine based in the village of Fuisse for many years with a spread of vineyards throughout this small sub-region

This is a delicious Chardonnay from low-yielding vines in the Bois d'Allier vineyeard near Charnay, that offers real depth and concentration for its price. Maturation in old oak foudres has given a gentle vanilla edge to the rich green apple fruit and nutty tones but not masked the firm acidity and chalky minerality.

Prophet's Rock winemaker Paul Pujol produced precious little of this Chardonnay - just six barrels were made from hand picked grapes grown at Lowburn in Central Otago. The wine was fermented with wild yeasts and all up it received 15% new oak, with the remainder being older barrels. This wine is set to become a collector's piece, not least because it was inspired by and made in collaboration with a French winemaker. Prophet's Rock winemaker Paul Pujol and Burgundy winemaker, Francois Millet of Comptes de Vogue in Chambolle-Musigny joined forces to produce this fitting match to the outstanding Pinots from this wine brand.

A light ruby colour in the glass with gentle red berry and subtle earthy aromas on the nose. On the palate the wine is light with an elegant and refined mouthfeel and gentle red fruits flavours. Precise winemaking resulting in quality Pinot Noir.

Hunting Hill is a vineyard that was first planted in 1982 and became a significant part of the original Kumeu River Chardonnay blend. Hunting Hill is very pretty and fragrant, with its lemon/lime blossom aromas and hint of orange. The palate has a supple texture and lingering flavour which provides a long finish, and it has a salty, mineral tang on the end.

Felton Road Block 6 Chardonnay is made from a north facing warm site which is biodynamically and organically certified in Bannockburn, Central Otago.

This vineyard produces grapes with a broad fruit expression which makes dry full bodied wines in an extremely commanding style. The wine spends 16 months in barrel and gains massive textural qualities from this long aging time, pre bottling.

It's a great white from the world's southernmost wine region. Drinks well now and can age.

Felton Road winemaker Blair Walter and owner Nigel Greening (who bought the winery in 2000) are a formidable team producing elegant, powerful southern Pinots from their estate vineyards, all now organically and biodynamically certified. 

2022 FIELD OF FIRE CHARDONNAY

Season summary
Under the influence of La Nina, the vines had good growth and good flowering conditions which resulted in solid yields. 200mm in February had us on edge, but diligent viticulture and a dry March and April allowed us to hang the fruit out till the end of April and achieve optimum ripeness. The resulting wines are an elegant expression of our Waikari farm.

Tasting note
Green lemon hue. Complex nose of minerals, flint, lemons and limes. Taught yet rich and concentrated, flavours reminiscent of lime and samphire. Fine and compact phenolics frame the wine and drive the long, moreish, mineral finish.

Viticulture
Planted between 2000-2002 at 11,111 vines/ha and a second planting in 2018, farmed biodynamically from inception. This unique, south-east facing site has varied soils, graduating from top to bottom on the slope, through primarily shallow (10-15cm) glauconitic clays over well drained limestone. Harvest date: 29 April 2022.

Winemaking
Crushed and soaked for 4 hours prior to pressing. Wild ferment, in aged
French oak barrels. 12 months on lees in barrel, then aged on light lees for
5 months in stainless steel prior to bottling unfined and unfiltered in
September 2023.

Chemical Analysis
pH:3.3
Alcohol: 13%
TA: 7.0g/L SO2: 50ppm
Other additives: None
Suitable for Vegetarian/Vegan: Yes

2022 LION'S TOOTH CHARDONNAY

Season summary 

Under the influence of La Nina, the vines had good growth and good flowering conditions which resulted in solid yields. 200mm in February had us on edge, but diligent viticulture and a dry March and April allowed us to hang the fruit out till the end of April and achieve optimum ripeness. The resulting wines are an elegant expression of our Waikari farm.

Tasting note
Pale lemon straw hue. Mineral complex nose of mandarin, cashew nuts, and crushed limestone. Great depth. Taught, focused flavours envelop the palate. Lemon curd, mandarin peel, nutty flavours unfold. Great length and drive with saline acidity.

Viticulture
Planted from 2000-2002 at 11,111 vines/ha and a second planting in 2018, farmed biodynamically from inception. Steeply inclined, east facing home block. Beautiful soils, with nut and crumb structure and great mineral fertility: 30% clay, 15% active lime. Harvest date: 28 April 2022.

Winemaking
Crushed and soaked for 2 hours prior to pressing. Wild ferment, in aged French oak barrels. 12 months on lees in barrel, then aged on light lees for 5 months in stainless steel prior to bottling unfined and unfiltered in September 2023.

Chemical Analysis
Alcohol: 1 3 % pH: 3.29
TA: 6.8g/L SO2: 50ppm
Other additives: None
Suitable for Vegetarian/Vegan: Yes
409 cases of 6 x 750ml bottles produced.