Kidnapper Cliffs Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2009 Bottle 2230

One of the best New Zealand chardonnays I have had. Simple! The Kidnapper Cliffs Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2009 in my mind would quite easily stand-up in a blind test with the best Australia has to offer and quite possibly 1er Cru’s from Puligny and Chassagne, without the price tag. Very floral and creme brulee-ey on the nose, with white oleander a standout with grapefruit primary after pulling the cork. Lovely balance of oak with seamless minerality running down the middle of the palate. Its also interesting to note that this wine has virtually no MLF; sort of uncommon for Kiwi chardonnays I’d suggest. I left it in the glass for about 20 minutes to come closer to room temperature where licorice powder and hints of white peach stood tall. Like I said, one of the best New Zealand Chardonnay’s I have seen.

Drink with rabbit pie – my recipe to come later
Drink till 2016
96
Quality cork 13%v/v $45 Prince Wine Store St. Kilda

Domaine Gérard Chavy 1er Cru Les Champs-Gains 2002 Puligny-Montrachet

And I am so very tired. I am so tired. Is everybody else tired?? Who would have thought kids would be so much work hey!

No-one was to know this but we all know Puligny-Montrachet is sexy as! In particular Domaine Gérard Chavy 1er Cru Les Champs-Gains 2002. Who was to know that this Chardonnay was to be golden yellow with a straw hue. Who was to know that this wine was waxy on the nose and quite developed with a rich, floral beat about it. The thing is though, in the end this wine was everything it should have been in the mouth – fat up front with great oak marriage, long in the acid hit with that ever so lovely hit of liquorice at the end.

Beautiful balance, length and complexity with about as much weight as you would want from white Burgundy. Though 2002 was better for reds, it is Chardonnay that is showing more with age I think.

Drink till 2014

Drink with rabbit pie

19.2/20