New Zealand Chardonnay is experiencing a golden age. This year’s Top 10 selection showcases the exceptional quality and diversity of the country’s finest Chardonnays. With eight wines scoring over 95 points, it’s clear that New Zealand winemakers are pushing the boundaries of this classic variety.

These exceptional wines hail from various regions across the country, including 1 from Waiheke Island, 4 from Hawke’s Bay, 1 from North Canterbury, and 2 each from Marlborough and Central Otago.

From the coastal vineyards of Hawke’s Bay to the cooler climate of Central Otago, New Zealand’s diverse terroir produces a range of Chardonnay styles, from elegant and mineral-driven to rich and opulent. Join us as we explore the top 10 Chardonnays of the year and discover the unique characteristics that make New Zealand Chardonnay so special.

 

The Top 10 Chardonnay in no particular order:

 

Tony Bish Golden Egg Chardonnay 2023, Hawke’s Bay

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Tony Bish’s Chardonnay, and the Golden Egg Chardonnay is frequent on this list. Tony is a Chardonnay specialist and produces five Chardonnay in his Urban Winery in Ahuriri Napier Hawke’s Bay.

Handpicked Mendoza clone Chardonnay, fermented and aged in NZ, made concrete egg-shaped fermenters and underwent full MLF.

Read the full review.

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Domain Road Defiance Chardonnay 2022, Central Otago

Defiance Vineyard, situated in the Bannockburn sub-region, boasts 7.5 hectares of vineyard land. Planted on ancient schist gravels and rich loam soils, this special site is home to prestigious Chardonnay clones (809, 1066, and 548), the same ones revered in Corton-Charlemagne, Burgundy’s Grand Cru vineyards. Since 2002, owners Graeme and Gillian Crosbie established Domain Road Vineyard, with a careful and considered hands-on care winemaking philosophy.

The Chardonnay was handpicked whole bunch pressed to tank and settled, transferred to French oak barriques for fermentation to 14.5% alc, aged for 9 months, 33% new oak, underwent MLF and regular lees stirred.

Read the full review.

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Pegasus Bay Reserve Virtuoso Chardonnay 2020, North Canterbury

The Donaldson family has been a cornerstone of New Zealand’s wine industry for over four decades. Founded by Ivan Donaldson in 1976, Pegasus Bay, a true family business, has grown into a renowned winery, driven by the passion and expertise of the entire family.

This Reserve Virtuosso Chardonnay is only produced in exceptional vintages, best barrels selection. Handpicked, foot-trotted, the non-clarified juice fermented in large French oak barrels (puncheons), 40% new oak, wild fermented to 13.5% alc, aged in puncheons on lees for 10 months, underwent MLF.

Read the full review.

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Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2023, Hawke’s Bay

Trinity Hill is known for its elegant and complex wines, particularly its iconic Homage Syrah.
The 2023 harvest presented a year of climatic extremes, characterized by prolonged periods of heat and humidity. However, the extended summer conditions during March and April, with warm, dry days and cooler nights, proved ideal for early-ripening varieties like Chardonnay grown on well-drained sites like the Gimblett Gravels.

A blend of 57% Clone 15, 10% Mendoza, 29% Clone 548 and 3% Clone 95, handpicked, fermented in 500-litre French oak puncheons and 228L barriques, 57% new oak. Underwent MLF, aged in barrels for 12 months, then further aged on lees in tank for 6 months before bottling. Unfined.

Read the full review.

Buy Trinity Hill Wines.

 

Sorrell The Wrekin Chardonnay 2022, Marlborough

Dan Sorrell, a seasoned winemaker with a passion ignited in the south of France, has recently emerged as a notable producer. His 2022 Wrekin Pinot Noir has earned a well-deserved spot on many top 10 lists. Sorrell’s approach involves initiating ferments four days before harvest, employing a pied de cuve technique. This emphasis on vineyard quality and minimal intervention allows the wines to express their true character, showcasing the purity and terroir of the site.

Handpicked fruit was inoculated with yeast from The Wrekin vineyard, transferred to old French oak barrels, aged for 18 months, and underwent wild MLF. Unfined, unfiltered.

Read the full review.

Buy Sorrell Wines.

 

Tantalus Cachette Reserve chardonnay 2021, Waiheke Island

Tantalus Estate crafts exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of Waiheke Island. With a strong commitment to sustainable practices, Tantalus employs dry farming techniques to encourage deep root systems and produce robust, terroir-driven wines. Their meticulous approach, from vineyard management to winemaking, results in limited-release wines that have captivated wine enthusiasts worldwide.

Handpicked, whole bunch pressed in a vertical basket and fermented on high solids in a concrete egg using a combination of indigenous and selected house yeasts. Aged in French oak for 12 months, 40% new oak.

Read the full review.

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Lake Chalice Plume Chardonnay 2022, Marlborough

Lake Chalice Plume Chardonnay 2022 is predominantly sourced from a single vineyard in the Lower Waihopai Valley, meticulously looked after by Peter and Anne Reed. Winemaker Chloe Gabrielsen describes the wine as a blank canvas, selecting the finest barrels, each offering a unique contribution to the blend. By combining different oak influences, textures, and fermentation profiles, a layered and complex Chardonnay is crafted.

Handpicked fruit, predominantly from the Reed vineyard in Lower Waihopai Valley, wild fermented in 100% French oak to 13% alc, aged for 9 months, 16% new oak, underwent full MLF.

Read the full review.

Shop Lake Chalice Wines.

 

Čuvar Guardians Chardonnay 2021, Hawke’s Bay

Founded by legendary wine entrepreneur Sir George Fistonich, Čuvar Winery embodies his lifelong dedication to New Zealand fine wine. The name, Čuvar (pronounced chu-var), translates to “guardian” in Croatian, honouring the immigrants who shaped the country’s wine story.

The fruit was from Rivermere Vineyard (previously Lyon’s) on Gimbelett Gravels, handpicked, fermented with natural yeast in 42% new oak and 58% seasoned French oak barriques, partial MLF, aged 10 months on lees, 13.5% alc.

Read the full review.

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Moko Hills Chardonnay 2021, Central Otago

Moko Hills is a rising star in Central Otago, crafting small-batch, terroir-driven wines. Winemaker/ Viticulturist Donald van der Westhuizen’s passion for the land is evident in their elegant Chardonnay and captivating Pinot Noir. Sourced from their high-altitude Bendigo vineyard, these wines showcase the region’s unique character, with delicate aromas, silky textures, and a profound sense of place.

Clones UCD15 and B95, whole bunch pressed and full solids to 100% French oak, natural yeast fermentation to 13.4% alc, lees stirred, aged 12 months in barrel, underwent MLF in spring.

Read the full review.

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Hopesgrove Estate Chardonnay 2021, Hawke’s Bay

Hopesgrove Winery, located in the limestone hills of Pakipaki, Hawke’s Bay, is a family-owned estate with a deep-rooted connection to the land. Founded in 2005 by Pieter and Paige, the winery is committed to sustainable farming practices, producing organic wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region.

A couple of picks to achieve desired ripeness. The fruit was whole bunch pressed to tank and then run straight to barrels for wild ferment. The press fractions were kept separate and not used in this wine. 18% new French oak barrels and the balance was 1-3 years old French oak barrels. Underwent 100% MLF and then stirred lees until diacyl subsided.  10 months in barrel. Unfined, light filtration.

Read the full review.

Shop Hopesgrove Wines.