“Mouthfilling and obvious in its outlay of flavor in the mouth—yellow peach, apricot, Golden Delicious apple, beeswax/lanolin and ripe lime flesh. The flutter of acidity that feathers the fruit is compelling and alluring in its power and juiciness. An exciting wine.”

“The nose leads with candied bananas, pineapple husk, white peach and a hint of lychee, and the edges of the aromatics are feathered with preserved citrus, brine, curry leaf and apple skins. In the mouth, the wine is powered by supercharged fruit; it is crystalline in its way. The flavor is sapid and palate-staining, with just enough salt and savory spices in the fruit to make it super complex as well as powerful. It is precisely folded like origami, each crease in service of the overall shape.”

“Stunning, fresh and vibrant, with juicy pear, yellow apple and quince notes at the core. This wine's details reveal themselves slowly on the sleek finish, where a whiff of smoke, a touch of litsea oil, fresh-grated ginger and a hint of jasmine emerge.”

“Shows a sleek frame, with fresh pear, lime and Fuji apple flavors leaping out of the glass. Offers wonderful purity and transparency, with a clear thread of minerality, lemon zest and orange blossoms, gaining momentum on the finish.”

“Concentrated notes of honeyed peach, pineapple rind and buttered toast pulse with drive and force. The richness comes from fruit ripeness—the oak is present but in a supporting role—with a mouthwatering acidity. It's shapely, long and elegant.”

“One of the best bargains around, from New Zealand's leading Chardonnay producer, this is restrained, creamy and downright delicious. Vibrant aromas of lemon peel, melon, toast and flint lead to a supple, slinky, elegant palate of tingly citrus acidity and supportive oak.”

“A lift of white peach, lemon curd and floral notes are dappled with flinty minerality and toast. There's richness to the palate, but the fruit is vibrant, buoyed by crystalline acidity, and gently supported by toasty oak. A class act with at least another decade of cellaring ahead of it.”

“Leads with a delicate perfume of lemon peel, mandarin, pear, seashell and white blossom, with a subtle toasty underbelly. There's a juiciness to the pithy citrus fruit on the mid-weight palate. Quietly supportive oak and a mineral streak add a feeling of purity and poise. Highly food friendly, with polish and restraint.”

“Notes of lemon zest, melon and orange blossom are underpinned by toffee, cream and oak spice. There's richness on the palate. The oak is sculpted into the wine. There's beautifully tingly acidity and a long finish.”

“This has aromas of flint, toast, jasmine, dried pineapples, lemons and sea shells. Some cardamom and salted butter. Classy and driven, with a medium to full body and tight, sleek layers. Perfumed and bright. Everything in balance.” 

“Slightly deeper gold-hued compared to the classic cuvée, it offers textbook notes of sauteed peach, honeyed citrus, flower oil, and hints of green almonds. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and beautifully balanced, it has good acidity and a great finish.” 

“Lemons, white apricots, white grapefruit, slate and sea shells. Elegant and mineral, with a medium body and creamy, textured and layered palate. Classy and fresh.” 

“Mangoes, lemon curd, baked apples, hazelnuts, custard and some salted caramel. Ripe and creamy with a full body. Tropical fruit and buttery layers balanced by bright acidity.” 

'“The 2021 Chardonnay Maté's Vineyard offers greater tension and sapidity. It is focused, concentrated and precise. There's sophisticated use of oak, which integrates seamlessly within the package. I got a cold the day after this was first opened, and almost a week later, when my senses returned, it remained impeccable, focused and compact.”

“Powerful and fragrant, with roasted pineapple, apricot and yellow peach flavors that are ripe, juicy and fleshy, with terrific intensity and an appealing touch of salted caramel on the long finish.”

“Rich, showing appealing ripeness to the Fuji apple, white peach, lemon curd and spice flavors, with firm acidity and elegant details of candied ginger peel on the finish.” 

“Vibrant and expressive, with Bartlett pear, yellow apple and dried apricot flavors that show touches of honeycomb, finishing with a note of salted almond.”

“Shows succulent peach, nectarine and apple flavors that are intense and juicy, with a hint of butterscotch and mineral. The finish reveals notes of orange blossom.”

“Intense and juicy, with mouthwatering pear, lemon and pomelo flavors and a hint of white flowers on the long finish.”

This is such impressive chardonnay in terms of power and complexity, delivering so much with such poise. Aromas of lemons and peaches intersect with lightly spicy oak and brioche on the nose. The palate drops mouth-filling flavors of peach and lemon and winds tight, before exploding long on the finish with a long, nutty afterglow. Perfect chardonnay.