Cuisine Wine

NZ Chardonnay Tasting results

17 August 2016 (Cuisine magazine Issue 178)

New Zealand chardonnay producers are playing to their strengths and the results are impressive, writes John Saker.

Top 10 NZ Chardonnay

Babich Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015

Slender, sophisticated, full of vitality... the star of the show has a distinctive personality. It leads with a white pepper scent reminiscent of expressions from Montrachet (a white Burgundy appellation), and is accompanied in the mouth by lively spice (smoked paprika) and saline notes.

It is a wine with intensity, freshness and length. “It’s an impressive, international style. It has amazing vibrancy, which gives
it a stand-alone quality,” said panel chair John Belsham. Having said that, he felt a fine food match would be roast chicken served with creamy mushrooms.

| $22
→ more 1 View All Results in the Babich Hawke’s Bay  Chardonnay 2015 Tasting

Star ratings for this tasting

» How ratings work

  • Outstanding 9
  • Excellent 4
  • Very Good 22
  • Good 64
  • No Award 68
  • Total Entries 167