Chardonnay

"brilliantly priced... generously flavoured... mouth-pleasing flavours"

4.5 STARS (91/100): Sam Kim, Wine orbit

"It's beautifully fragrant on the nose displaying stonefruit, cream and subtle toasty oak characters. The palate is succulent and silky smooth with a rounded mouthfeel and refreshing finish. This brilliantly priced wine is friendly and generously flavoured with plenty of mouth-pleasing flavours. At its best: now to 2014" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

2008 vintage: TROPHY: International Chardonnay Challenge 2010 (Best value wine under $15)

2007... Read more »

Martinborough Classic in the making

100% Accredited member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand

In 1988 Martinborough was establishing itself as an emerging wine region. The Parkinson family, following extended stints in France and Italy which had ignited their passion for old world wines, and believing Martinborough was the perfect place to create wines of similarly high quality and character, established Nga Waka Vineyard. In 2006 the Parkinson family released the first Three Paddles wine. Three Paddles is quintessential New Zealand wine. Like many New Zealanders we share a love of water and cherish New Zealand's many successes on the world's oceans, lakes and waterways. New Zealand's settlement is a history of brave and intrepid voyagers arriving first by waka and, later, by sailing ship.... Read more »

4 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"A fruity bouquet displaying apple, citrus and stonefruit characters with a hint of creamy notes. It's juicy and supple on the palate with rounded mouthfeel and nicely balanced acidity. Very appealing and easy on the palate. Great value for money. At it's best: now until 2011." Sam Kim, Wine Orbit.

A medium-bodied wine with a refreshing, round palate showing white peach and apricot flavours with underlying grapefruit and citrus notes. Great elegant, creamy mouthfeel with well balanced acidity and a full lingering finish. Drinking well now or at its best over the next two years. Enjoy with light seafood dishes, chicken pasta or summer salads.

GREAT SAVING FROM HAWKES BAY'S LEADING BRAND

Typical fresh fruit characters from Hawkes Bay chardonnay such as grapefruit and melon are unencumbered with the minimal use of oak, in a Chablis vein. The wine is rich and round, with soft acidity and attractive sweet fruit. Winemaker Notes

Trinity Hills reputation is based on their ability to produce outstanding wines that explode with fruit character and yet retain the sophistication and complexity we would expect from old world wines. John Hancock is regarded as one of New Zealands leading and most innovative winemakers. His wines are highly respected worldwide, and are listed in many 3 Star Michelin restaurants, including; Ramsays - London, Lucas Carton - Paris, Paul Bocuse - Lyon and La Pyramide - Rhone Valley. Numerous top tier accolades and praise has... Read more »

"An elegant and refreshing wine"

"An elegant and refreshing wine with aromas of apricots and nectarines with a touch of spice. Medium-bodied with terrific ripe peach, melon and stone fruit flavours and some underlying grapefruit. A round, full wine with a soft, textured mouthfeel and a lingering finish" Wine makers Notes. 

Made with grapes from two complementary Marlborough vineyards selected for their fresh fruit flavours. These flavour profiles were enhanced through cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks. One batch was put through secondary fermentation to add complexity and to help soften and round out the palate. The wine was then blended and prepared for bottling.

Drink it with fresh seafood, creamy pasta or delicate white meats.

A delicious wine,... Read more »

GOLD MEDAL: New Zealand Royal Easter Show

First released in 1992, Twin Islands Marlborough Chardonnay offers excellent full flavoured wine at great value. Fruit is sourced from selected vineyards in the Marlborough region which enjoy excellent ripening conditions for flavour-development in Chardonnay.

Twin Islands Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 is pale straw in colour with an aroma of melon and stonefruit. A hint of toasty oak adds complexity without dominating the fruit character. This is a flavoursome, medium bodied wine with bright fruit flavours, good length and a light oak influence.
 

premium hand crafted varietal wines

Pale straw colour. Aromas of ripe stonefruit mingle with subtle spicy oak nuances. The palate is fresh vibrant and full of ripe tropical fruits. The oak is well integrated and fine supporting the abundant fruit characters. Winemakers Notes

The Sacred Hill tale is one of innovation, commitment and skill. A passion for making wine drives this winery, creating hand crafted wines that maximise the unique vineyard sites while embracing technological innovation in the winery. The team at Sacred Hill believe wine should be enjoyed as one of life's simple yet special pleasures.

"RIPE PEACH, PINEAPPLE AND SUBTLE CREAMY/VANILLA CHARACTERS"

4 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

“This is soft and creamy, displaying ripe peach, pineapple and subtle creamy/vanilla characters on the nose. The palate is ripe and smooth with well pitched acidity and a lingering fruity finish. An immensely appealing Chardonnay at a great price.” At its best: now to 2012. Sam Kim

"A fruit driven chardonnay with flavours of ripe peach and nectarine. Well balanced acidity provides a refreshing finish on the palate. Delicious for drinking now or may cellar well for two to three years. An easy drinking style that can be enjoyed as an aperitif or with white meats, pasta and summer salads".... Read more »

"it's an elegant, very harmonious wine with fresh acidity"

"The 2008 vintage was matured for 10 months in French oak casks (50 per cent new). Weighty, it's an elegant, very harmonious wine wine with fresh acidity, good concentration of citrusy, peachy flavours and a creamy-smooth finish". Michael Cooper, Buyers guide to NZ wine 2010

"Appealing fruity wine with concentrated white peach, nectarine and spicy oak flavours. Soft-textured with a drying finish. A vibrant style with cellaring potential" Bob Campbell M.W

"Lifted aromas of nectarine and white peach, with a hint of spicy oak. This elegant chardonnay shows flavours... Read more »

"becoming one of the most reliable value-Chardonnays"

4 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"It's upfront and refreshing, displaying citrus, peach and a hint of creamy characters on the nose. The palate is well fruited and juicy showing a smooth mouthfeel and a lingering dry finish. The wine is nicely harmonised and appealing without being heavy. This is becoming one of the most reliable value-Chardonnays". Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"With an attractive golden hue, this expressive wine has citrus, white peach and creamy aromas, complemented by subtle oak notes. The palate has vibrant acidity, with... Read more »

4 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit 2009

"A very attractive nose displaying ripe peach, pineapple and subtle nutty characters. The palate is juicy and smooth with nicely balanced acidity and a lingering fruity finish. A friendly and most pleasant Chardonnay with a wide appeal. At its best: now to 2010" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit.

Wine Maker Notes: "This wine is heaven for all occasions. Smooth, creamy and bursting with delicious citrus and white peach flavours"

*Vavasour Wines are the pioneers of the Awatere Valley. They were the first to plant in what is now regarded as one of the premium grape growing regions of Marlborough, New Zealand.

4 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"Fruity and fresh, the nose displays ripe peach, citrus and creamy characters. There's ample fruit on the palate with smooth texture and nicely balanced acidity. An immediately appealing medium-bodied Chardonnay for everyday drinking. The wine is so well priced"

This medium bodied wine has a round and refreshing palate showing ripe peach and stone fruit flavours with an underlying grapefruit note resulting in a full lingering finish.

Perfect for drinking now or will cellar well for the next two-three years.

A great match with roast chicken, Caesar salad or glazed ham.

BLUE-GOLD: Sydney International Wine Show 2010

GOLD MEDAL: Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2009

93/100 & 4.5 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

‘An immensely appealing wine showing excellent concentration" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"This single vineyard, 100% barrel fermented wine has aromas of white peach, honey suckle and ripe citrus on the nose, with notes of spice and vanilla from the oak. The wine is mouth-filling, strong-ish ripe citrus characters tempered by toasty oak tannins, a creamy lees influence and a zesty finish. This wine makes an excellent... Read more »

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: "UNBEATABLE VALUE"

"Peach and passionfruit aroma with citrus blossom nuances. Aromatic and enticing. Peach and citrus flavours with fresh acidity and a clean lingering finish." Winemakers Notes

The 2009 vintage was marked by a  good summer with plenty of hot weather and relatively low levels of rainfall. This allowed to production of another delicious easy drinking everyday chardonnay from the every reliable 'Lobster'.

4 STARS (86/100): Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"A lovely elegant expression of Chardonnay displaying peach, citrus and chalky mineral characters on the nose. The palate is refreshing and rounded with well balanced acidity and an attractive juicy finish. An easy-going, medium-bodied Chardonnay perfect for casual drinking" Sam Kim

"A portion of the juice for this wine was fermented in French oak barriques, with the remaining done in tank to retain more fruit driven characters. After a partial malolactic fermentation, the wine was left to mature on yeast lees to develop more complexity" Winemaking Notes

The Overstone Chardonnay has citrus and nectarine flavours backed up with sweet oak and lees stirred complexity. It is made in an early drinking style, but... Read more »

4.5 STARS: Joelle Thomson, Wine Writer, Jan 09

"If you've lost your passion for chardonnay, rekindle it with this fresh, lively and rounded Chablis lookalike from Marlborough. With its citrusy flavours and bright clean style, this wine offers great flavours for the price" Joelle Thomson

"The nose displays ripe citrus and creamy characters with subtle apricot notes. It's juicy and smooth on the palate showing soft texture, vibrant acidity and a pleasant fruity finish. The wine is easy going and represents good value" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

Exclusive to blackmarket members

Wine Makers Notes: "This wine is selected from special parcels... Read more »

NEW LISTING: EXCLUSIVE TO BLACKMARKET

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Exclusive to blackmarket.co.nz

Produced by a Premium NZ Winery.

A classic New Zealand chardonnay exhibiting all of the wonderful fruit flavours and aromas of fresh, ripe stone-fruit and melon characters with a soft, dry finish

Delicious on its own and well suited to white meats, pastas and vegetarian dishes. Good company recommended.

"smooth texture, vibrant, uncomplicated fruit"

"This style of Chardonnay has been made to showcase the fruit, unhindered by the manipulative winemaking inputs that characterize more traditional Chardonnay styles. The nose has fresh fruit aromas of passionfruit, mandarin and stonefruit. On the palate the wine is crisp with a smooth texture, vibrant, uncomplicated fruit, and flavours that linger". Wine Makers Notes.

The fruit for this wine was sourced from a stony site on the Wairau Valley in Marlborough, New Zealand and makes an excellent accompaniment to summer dining. It is perfectly matched with guacamole, garlic, salads, grilled prawns - even curry dishes or with mussels in a creamy sauce.

FROM THIS MUCH LOVED CRAGGY RANGE SUBSIDIARY COMES THIS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS HAWKES BAY CHARDONNAY

4.5 STARS: Top 10 Cuisine NZ Chardonnay Tasting Panel-Cuisine Magazine

“A Chardonnay for those with a liking for opulence. Floral sweetness, a vanillin oak influence and rich stonefruit flavours make strong statements balanced by a fresh vibrancy. Unabashedly mainstream in style and very well made.” Cuisine NZ Chardonnay Tasting Panel-Cuisine Magazine-May/June 2010

"Medium straw colour streaked with youthful green hues. Aromas of lemon blossom, cashew and hints of gunsmoke and butter provide a dazzlingly complex bouquet. Equally, the palate abounds with ripe pear and zesty mandarin notes which meld beautifully with the oak derived... Read more »

 “A LOVELY WINE FOR THOSE WHO PREFER LIGHT AND RESTRAINED CHARDONNAY”

“This is a good drinking and elegant style displaying gentle aromas of citrus, peach and cream. It's subtly flavoured on the palate with lemony acidity and a fine dry finish. A lovely wine for those who prefer light and restrained Chardonnay with a crisp mouth-feel. At its best: now to 2012” Sam Kim

NEW RELEASE: EXCLUSIVE TO BLACKMARKET

The 2008 vintage delivered perfectly ripe Chardonnay fruit, which we have subtly enhanced with minimal use of oak. The nose shows taut minerality with notes of lemons, peaches, limes and poached nectarines.... Read more »

*Price reduced to clear stocks*

84/100: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"The nose is youthful and fruity showing ripe peach and floral notes. The palate is rounded and smooth with supple mouthfeel. It's nicely balanced and so friendly on the palate. A great chardonnay for those who love fruit dominant and uncomplicated wine for everyday drinking" Sam Kim

An exotically aromatic chardonnay showing pineapple fig and guava characters. It is particularly well suited to creamy pasta and white meats" Winemakers notes.

"AN EXCELLENT EXPRESSION OF THE MARLBOROUGH STYLE"

Colour: Light straw in colour with green hues and brilliant clarity.

Nose: A concentrated bouquet of citrus and tropical fruits, with subtle, biscuity notes.

Palate: A sophisticated, elegant chardonnay exhibiting flavours of ripe grapefruit, peach and fig. The texture is smooth and creamy with a soft malolactic complexity and a nutty, mealy, yeast autolysis character. Showing excellent length, this wine finishes crisp and dry, with a flourish of spicy, vanillin oak.

"SILKY TEXTURE, WELL BALANCED ACIDITY AND A SOFT FINISH"

"Ripe apricot, vanillin oak and subtle creamy characters on the nose. The palate is rounded and generous showing silky texture, well balanced acidity and a soft finish"

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"There's no mucking about here. This is REAL Hawke's Bay Chardonnay. Full of flavour. A real classic." Dick Frizzell

Legend New Zealand artist Dick Frizzell has launched a new range of limited edition wines bearing unique label and case art in his distinctive style.

The wines are made by consultant Rod McDonald - a former winner of the coveted WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR title.

This wonderfully vibrant chardonnay delivers layers... Read more »

4 STARS: Sam Kim; Wine Orbit

SILVER MEDAL: Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2010

"A classic peaches and cream Gisborne chardonnay. Smooth on the palate with delicious hints of pineapple and tropical fruit. It has a nice touch of creamy French oak with a long enjoyable finish. Serve slightly chilled and enjoy now." Winemakers Notes

"Typical regional style with charming ripe peach and pineapple flavours plus a seasoning of oak. Simple, easy-drinking Chardonnay that offers good value at this price" Bob Campbell MW

What exactly happened at Grass Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound, on October 17th 1773 will never be known. Except to say that when HMS Adventure set... Read more »

HAWKES BAY SUPERSTAR WINERY

The Reserve Chardonnay is a selection of the very best Chardonnay blocks, hand-harvested and sorted directly off the vine, then whole-bunch-pressed straight to the best French oak barrels where it is fermented using wild yeasts. The wine is matured in barrel for 14 months with full yeast lees contact before racking and blending the following winter. A core of ripe peach, grapefruit, fig and hazelnut is overlaid with a mealy complexity from yeast lees contact and savoury, integrated oak. The palate is rich and full, but with a seam of minerality that adds length and balance.

Church Road Reserve wines are produced only in great vintages.The very best low-cropping vineyard blocks are targeted for selective hand harvesting to provide wines with the greatest possible flavour, depth... Read more »

EXCELLENT FRUITY MOUTHFEEL AND CREAMY TEXTURE

4 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"The nose is immediately appealing with peach, cream and toask oak characters. Its full and lush on the palate with excellent fruity mouthfeel and creamy texture. The wine is very supple and atisfying. A generiously flavoured chardonnay at an amazingly good price" Sam Kim

"May sound strange but smelling this is like having a custard square in a glass! It's creamy and brulee-ish with some lemon and coconut notes followed by an easy, tropical juiciness on the finish. Fantastic value for chardonnay lovers." Yvonne Lorkin

"ARead more »

“LIKE TASTING AN EXCELLENT YOUNG BURGUNDY - BEAUTIFULLY COMPLEX AND FRAGRANT”

4.5 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

“The bouquet is gorgeous and sensuous showing white peach, lemon pith and beautifully infused vanilla oak characters. It's elegant and refined on the palate showing a delicate fruit expression, chalky texture and firm acidity providing both structure and length. This is like tasting an excellent young Burgundy - beautifully complex and fragrant yet the palate shows firm profile with glimpses of brilliance and potentially majestic flavours. At its best: end of 2010 to 2014.” Sam Kim Wine Orbit... Read more »

TE MATA ESTATE IS NEW ZEALAND'S BEST WINE PRODUCER: Sam Kim, The Dominion Post

SUPER CLASSIC: Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines.

"Elston ‘09 has a light golden colour with intense fresh pineapple and peach characters combining with lemon, oatmeal, cream and vanilla notes. It is a rich, complex wine balanced with fresh acidity, leading to a long finish. Elston '09 will continue to evolve in bottle for five years from harvest and matching well with full flavoured dishes based on seafood, poultry and white meats as well as soft ripened cheeses." Winemakers Notes

A legendary NZ chardonnay made from low cropped vines that undergoes a complete barrel and malo-lactic fermentation.... Read more »

GOLD MEDAL: NZIWS 2008

GOLD MEDAL: Royal Easter Show 2010

4 STARS: Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wine

"Vibrant green in colour, the nose delivers peach and tropical fruits complemented by creamy cashew complexity and lovely French oak. The palate is weighty and full, rich and viscous. Intense fruit lingers, combining with subtle French oak to form a complex and powerful wine." Winemakers Notes

"Produced only in exceptional years from the most select fruit, this premium series is Matua Valley's pride and joy. Numerous national and international awards are testament to the winery's reputation for consistently... Read more »

"LIFTED AROMAS OF TROPICAL FRUIT"

4.5 STARS; Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"This is an immediately appealing Chardonnay displaying ripe and lifted aromas of tropical fruit, citrus and buttered popcorn. The palate is succulent, well weighted and  smooth with refreshing acidity and a lingering creamy finish. This one is for those who love generously flavoured Chardonnays. At its best: now to 2012". Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"great value for money"

4.5 STARS: Cuisine Chardonnay Tasting

BEST BUY: Cuisine Chardonnay Tasting

The Nobilo name and the Gisborne region have a long list of vinous achievements. Add to it this softly textured wine in which ripe herbs, apple, tropical fruits and roasted nuts all feature. A poised example offering great value for money. Cuisine

Colour: Light straw in colour with green hues. Brilliant clarity.

Nose: A bouquet of intense tropical fruit complemented by bready, biscuity complexities with a touch of oak.

Palate: A rich, mouthfilling wine with ripe fruit flavours of grapefruit, melon and peach balanced... Read more »

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Winemakers notes: "Fresh and lifted aromas followed by a fruit driven palate of clean, fresh fruit complemented with a gentle oak influence> An appealing style ideal on its own or with any number of dishes.

Expect this wine to build in character and complexity for at least 5 years.

GOLD MEDAL: Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2010

90/100: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

A gently complex nose displaying pineapple, peach, cashew and a touch of mealy characters. The palate is well fruited showing lovely creamy texture and bright acidity providing a good structure and a refreshing mouthfeel. The wine is showing some bottle developed richness and harmony making this a great wine to drink now. At its best: now to 2011. Sam Kim

Our Reserve label wines are made only from fruit showing exceptional ripeness and flavour. Casarina, named after the elegant Casuarina trees which shelter our home block vines all year round, is our finest Chardonnay. Exceptionally... Read more »

"ONE OF THE MOST DISTINGUISHED CHARDONNAYS IN THE HAWKES BAY"

"Very elegant, finely poised and tight, it should be at its best from mid-2009 onwards." - Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide 2007

This is a rich but elegant style of Chardonnay, displaying complexity and subtlety in a food friendly and age worthy style. The wine displays classic Hawkes Bay notes of stonefruit with accompanying characters of grapefruit, providing acidity and elegance. This wine has subtle oak characters and richness derived from long term ageing on lees and will gain further complexity with cellaring.

4 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

“This is a smooth Chardonnay with immense drinkability. It's gently fragrant on the nose displaying pineapple, peach and subtle nutty characters. The palate is ripe and rounded with moderate acidity and a lingering juicy finish. At its best: now to 2011” Sam Kim
 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: NEW RELEASE

The Wairau Valley Marlborough 2008 Chardonnay is bright and lively. The wine is showing aromas and flavours of citrus and stonefruit, and a subtle french oak influence. An elegant wine with great balance.

A wine suited to roasted vegetable winter salads and, creamy chicken and lemon risottos.

A wine of stunning fruit purity and style" Winemaker notes.

LUXURIOUSLY CREAMY, FRUIT-DRENCHED CHARDONNAY

"Pale straw in colour with green hues, the nose is filled with tropical fruits and ripe peach. Subtle creamy oak rounds out the palate to deliver a fruit-driven wine with a clean finish." Winemaker's Notes

Matua Valley Wines began as a small, family-run winery in West Auckland, in 1973. In the next few years, winemakers Ross and Bill Spence quickly gained a reputation for innovative, award-winning wines - including the first ever New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc! The Matua Road wines are designed for consumption in their youth and are perfect for enjoying amongst friends. A classic, fun range at an affordable price.

SUPERBLY TEXTURED CHARDONNAY CLASSIC

"The nose shows distinctive, strong Chardonnay aromas of melon, kaffir lime and honey. Full palate with clean, juicy Chardonnay characters of orchard fruit and background oak. Always a winner, the Diamond Label Chardonnay style is upfront, generous and well- textured."

"CREAMY TEXTURE, BRIGHT ACIDITY AND A FLAVOURSOME FINISH"

4.5 STARS (90/100): Sam Kim; Wine Orbit

"A generously flavoured Chardonnay displaying peach, tropical fruit and citrus characters on the nose. The palate is equally appealing with creamy texture, bright acidity and a flavoursome finish. The gentle oak characters are nicely fused, making this an immensely appealing Chardonnay." Sam Kim; Wine Orbit

Takutai is made by the highly experienced and award winning team at Waimea Estate. Takutai is about 'their sense of place' in growing grapes and making wine in a maritime climate, on the alluvial soils of the ancient delta of the Waimea River in the Nelson region of New Zealand.... Read more »

"a very approachable and pleasant Chardonnay for everyday drinking"

4 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"A gently fragrant nose displaying ripe peach, citrus and subtle nutty characters. The palate is beautifully fruited with smooth texture, refreshing acidity and a clean lingering finish. Juicy and vibrant, this is a very approachable and pleasant Chardonnay for everyday drinking. At its best: now to 2011"

This beautifully balanced wine continues a fine legacy of classy Shepherd Ridge Chardonnays. Lovely citrus, stonefruit, grainy and creamy aromatics carry through to a finely balanced Chardonnay with poised acidity giving the wine length and structure. The wine... Read more »