Drum roll please…

 

I am thrilled to present this year’s Top 10 Chardonnay selection to you! The quality of New Zealand Chardonnay has soared in the past decade, with 7 out of the 10 wines this year scoring over 95 points. These exceptional wines hail from various regions across the country, including 2 from Gisborne, 2 from Hawke’s Bay, 2 from Waitaki Valley in North Otago, and one each from Waiheke Island, Marlborough, North Canterbury, and Central Otago.

 

Chardonnay stands as the second most planted white variety in New Zealand, contributing to approximately 6% of the country’s wine production. With 3,187 hectares planted across all wine regions, Marlborough leads the way with 1,083ha, followed closely by Hawke’s Bay with 1,051ha. Gisborne follows with 582ha, while Nelson boasts 109ha. Other regions have less than 100ha, and North Otago, in particular, has merely 6ha.

 

NZ Chardonnay’s allure lies in its expressive and pure fruit profile, often centered around citrus and stonefruit tones. Even in Hawke’s Bay, South Island variations frequently feature a grapefruit peel character. Tropical fruit notes commonly emerge in the North Island, particularly in Northland and Gisborne. The wine’s distinctive chalky texture is a hallmark of low-yield crops from North Otago, while stony mineral nuances are prevalent in sites graced with stony soils or riverbed origins.

 

Join me for an exciting adventure! Experience the Top 10 Chardonnay Tasting in Auckland or Wellington, and don’t miss out on the exceptional Top 10 Chardonnay wine dinner in Hawke’s Bay this October. Let’s enjoy the Top 10 Chardonnays together!

 

• Auckland 5th September – https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/689729959877
• Wellington 6th September – https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/689731384137
• Hawke’s Bay 4th October – https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/699910429937

 

In no particular order, here’s my Top 10 Chardonnay of 2023.

 

 

 

Nockie’s Palette Waitaki Chardonnay 2021, North Otago

One of the two Waikaki Chardonnay in the lineup. Owner Micahel Nock has two favourites, one is art, and another is wine. The painter has a series of wines made by some of the most talented winemakers in NZ and Australia. This Waitaki Chardonnay is made by PJ Charteris, showcasing a sleek, chalky minerals line with a ripe fruit palate and well-portioned oak.

 

– Read full review here.

– Shop Nockie’s Palette Wines.

 

 

 

 

Q Wine Waitaki Valley Chardonnay 2022, North Otago

It’s amazing this extremely small region with only 6 hectares of Chardonnay planted has taken two spots of the Top 10 lineup. La Niña brought a cooler and more humid summer across the Waitaki, graced with 820 growing-degree days and not one of them was below 70% humidity. This produces consistent and uniform grape yields with more intense fruit flavours. Winemaker Antony Worch did a great job to express the lush fruit and chalky minerals with beautiful acid precision.

 

– Full Review here.

– Shop Q Wines.

 

 

 

Tony Bish Golden Egg Chardonnay 2022, Hawke’s Bay

This is the only wine also featured in last year’s of my Top 10 Chardonnay lineup. Fermented and aged in NZ-made concrete egg fermenters, without any oak influence. It’s an expressive Chardonnay with purity, layers and textures. Made by Tony Bish, a Chardonnay specialist based in Hawke’s Bay, Ahuriri Napier.

 

– Detailed review here.

– Shop Tony Bish Wines.

 

 

 

 

Smith & Sheth CRU Heretaunga Chardonnay 2020, Hawke’s Bay

Contemporary negociants Steve Smith MW and Brian Sheth launched their joint venture in 2018, and ever since, this CRU Heretaunga Chardonnay has been well-received by critics and wine enthusiasts. Fruit sourced from Omahu vineyard in the Gimblette Gravels and Howell vineyard in the Bridge Pa Triangle, fermented in barrels with indigenous yeasts. It’s opened, generous and aged worthy.

 

– Read more here.

– Shop Smith & Sheth.

 

 

 

 

Pyramid Valley Springs Chardonnay 2020, North Canterbury

Another Steve Smith MW and Brian Sheth venture since 2017, originally founded by Mike and Claudia Elze Weersing in 2000, a biodynamic vineyard since inception, meticulously tended vines now persevere by Huw Kinch, a talented Winemaker & Estate Manager. The dry-grown old vine Mendoza Chardonnay from the Springs Vineyard on Omihi clay soils is close to 40 years old. fermented in barrels with full solids, it’s sophisticated and rich, with excellent tension and a citrus core.

 

– Read full review here.

– Shop Pyramid Valley Wines.

 

 

 

Millton Clos de Ste. Anne Naboth’s Vineyard Chardonnay 2021, Gisborne

Organic and biodynamic pioneer Millton Vineyard was established in 1984, this special site Clos de Ste. Anne Naboth’s Vineyard is planted on a hillside, over volcanic ash, clay and silt soils. It’s lifted and bright, flows with good energy, elegant and generous of fruit and weight, powerful and full of interest.

 

– Read more here.

– Shop Millton Wines.

 

 

 

 

Matawhero Irwin Chardonnay 2017, Gisborne

This special five-year release is a homage to Bill and Denis Irwin, pioneers from the 1960s and founders of Matawhero Wines. Dry-farmed Mendoza clone Chardonnay from the famous Tietjen vineyard on the Golden Slopes sub region of Gisborne, planted on an elevated slope, medium to heavy Kaiti clay base is overlaid with 20-30cm of light black topsoil, with influences from the limestone foothills. It’s a complex wine with power and elegance, 5-year cellaring allowed it to integrate harmoniously and develop complexity.

 

– Read the detailed review here.

– Shop Matawhero Wines.

 

 

 

 

Batch Winery Thomas Legacy Chardonnay 2021, Waiheke Island

The fruit for this Chardonnay was from the Thomas Vineyard, established in 1998, the highest vineyard on Waiheke Island, planted on low fertility, iron-rich clays produced from weathered, ancient Jurassic bedrock. 50% each of clones 15 and 548, the result is silky and opulent with beautiful stonefruit and citrus, refined layers and tension.

 

– Read full review.

– Shop Batch Winery Wines.

 

 

 

Lake Chalice Plume Chardonnay 2020, Marlborough

The Ibbotson family has owned Lake Chalice Wines since 2015 and the wines reflect the effort that the family has put in. The fruit of Plume Chardonnay is sourced from the Reed vineyard in Lower Waihopai Valley planted on low-vigor clay soils, and meticulously looked after by Peter and Anne Reed. Winemaker Chloe Gabrielsen selected the best barrels to create this complex, full-bodied, well-structured and balanced Chardonnay.

 

– Read more here.

– Shop Lake Chalice Wines

 

 

 

 

Mora Chardonnay 2022, Central Otago

Mora Wines is a young brand launched in 2022, previously Akarua Wines, which has been sold to Edmond de Rothchild Heritage. The fruit for this Chardonnay was sourced from Eden Vineyard in the Pisa subregion, clone 6 and 28-year-old Mendoza clone. Consulting Winemaker Sarah Adamson laid her signature soft touch on this wine. It’s delicate, silky and well-balanced.

 

– See full review.

– Shop Mora Wines.