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2021 Astrolabe The Farm Chardonnay RRP $100
Reviewed 29 March 2026
Tasting note
2021 Astrolabe The Farm Chardonnay
RRP $100
The Farm Chardonnay is a big, confident Marlborough wine that really shows off what the region can do with its other great white. Full‑bodied and bold, with lovely developed toasty flavours kicking in while retaining lively freshness. Complex and creamy with toasted hazelnuts, almonds and oatmeal complexity. Tangy citrus aromas keep it zesty and exciting.
Origin - Marlborough
Marlborough is the biggest wine region in New Zealand with two thirds of the country's total producing vineyard area, which translates to 30,469 hectares of the national total 42,520.
The majority (25,157 hectares in 2025) of the region's vineyards are devoted to Sauvignon Blanc and while Chardonnay is dwarfed in comparison (1,077 hectares), it more than pulls its weight in terms of quality. Definitely a variety to watch from this famous wine region.
2024 Whitehaven Fossil Block Riverside Chardonnay RRP $45
Reviewed 28 March 2026
Tasting note
2024 Whitehaven Fossil Block Riverside Chardonnay RRP $45
If a wine can be rich and flavoursome but impeccably subtle at the same time, here it is. Fossil Block is made from clone 95 Chardonnay grapes grown on the Tussocks Vineyard in Awatere Valley where cool sea breezes bring a light chill to the night air, preserving acidity and freshness in the wines made from grapes grown here. All grapes in this wine were hand picked, whole bunch pressed and then fermented in 500 litre French oak puncheons with 11 months ageing in oak followed by another four in stainless steel tanks. This is unfined, unfiltered and incredibly complex with layers of bright, bold, fresh lemon and citrus zest flavours, a full body and a lingering savoury finish.
Origin - Awatere Valley, Marlborough
Marlborough is the biggest wine region in New Zealand and is home to the Awatere Valley, which is situated south of the region's biggest grape growing area - the Wairau Plains.
The Awatere has a cooler, windier climate and more distinct influence from sea breezes.
2025 Escarpment Chardonnay RRP $45
Reviewed 26 March 2026
Tasting note
2025 Escarpment Chardonnay RRP $45
The winemaking in this young Chardonnay allows the grape's personality to puts its best foot forward with winemaking bells and whistles nicely integrated into the complex finished result. It's fresh off the bottling line now and is a zesty, vibrant young blend of clones 95/15/1066/Mendoza and 548, most of them grown at the winery's estate vineyard in Te Muna Valley, with some from growers around the village (including Arapai and Boulders vineyards).
Grapes from each separate vineyard site were whole bunch pressed and left to settle overnight before transferring to French oak puncheon for fermentation with wild yeasts. The result is a smooth and crisp Chardonnay with partial malolactic fermentation bringing a creamy note to the wine's texture but allowing its citrusy freshness to shine through with notes of grapefruit, lemon and a savoury aroma.
The finished wine was matured for 11 months in oak 16% new; 23% 1 YO; 13% 2 YO and the balance being 3 YO and older.
Origin - Martinborough
Martinborough is situated in the Wairarapa wine region, at the southern tip of New Zealand's North Island. It has 1122 producing hectares of vines planted, nearly half of which are Pinot Noir. This makes it the seventh biggest wine region in New Zealand but it is dwarfed in size by Marlborough, which has 30,469 hectares of vineyard land and Hawke's Bay with 4,605; the two biggest wine regions in the country.
2025 Three Paddles Pinot Noir RRP $30
Reviewed 26 March 2026
Tasting note
2025 Three Paddles Pinot Noir RRP $30
This the best Three Paddles Pinot Noir that I've tasted over the past four years. It's part of the Nga Waka Wines' stable and has launched this month with a fresh new look label that makes it appear as appealing as this Pinot Noir from the 2025 vintage tastes.
It's a medium bodied wine with beautiful earthy aromas, underpinned by bright fresh red fruit flavours of cherries and plums, finishing on a fresh, zesty note - it's youthful and will evolve favourably over the next three years. And it drinks well now.
Origin - Martinborough
Martinborough is situated in the Wairarapa wine region, at the southern tip of New Zealand's North Island. It has 1122 producing hectares of vines planted, nearly half of which are Pinot Noir. This makes it the seventh biggest wine region in New Zealand but it is dwarfed in size by Marlborough, which has 30,469 hectares of vineyard land and Hawke's Bay with 4,605; the two biggest wine regions in the country.
2025 Nga Waka Gamay RRP $45
Reviewed 20 March 2026
Tasting note
2025 Nga Waka Gamay RRP $45
Inspired by cru Beaujolais, Nga Waka winery's owners and winemaker released their first take on a Southern Hemisphere Gamay this month, making four barrels from four year old vines. All grapes were hand picked, destemmed and fermented with CO2 gas for 15 days on skins; a semi-carbonic style of maceration, which brings vibrant juicy cherry and red fruit aromas to the wine, which was aged in five to six year old barrels on lees for nine months.
The result is a welcome addition to Martinborough's red wine scene. Dry, smooth and medium bodied, this Gamay has young fleshy plum flavours, intermingling with notes of spice.
The plan is to double production over time, as newer plantings of younger vines come to production.
Origin - Martinborough
Martinborough is situated in the Wairarapa wine region, at the southern tip of New Zealand's North Island. It has 1122 producing hectares of vines planted, nearly half of which are Pinot Noir. This makes it the seventh biggest wine region in New Zealand but it is dwarfed in size by Marlborough, which has 30,469 hectares of vineyard land and Hawke's Bay with 4,605; the two biggest wine regions in the country.
2020 Astrolabe Wrekin Chardonnay
Reviewed 20 March 2026
Tasting note
This outstanding Chardonnay made by Simon Waghorn is my wine of the week as it shines a bold light on the unexpectedly high quality of Marlborough Chardonnay. It's made from hand picked grapes from Wrekin Vineyard on the sunny slopes of the southern hills in Marlborough's Wairau Valley. Warm days and cool nights bring rich citrusy depth and a twist of ripe grapefruit to this lush and creamy, full bodied Chardonnay.
Fresh acidity underpins each sip, bringing a long memorable finish to the wine.
All grapes were hand picked, barrel fermented in whole clusters in French oak puncheons; larger sized barrels, which reduces overt oak influence, offering up spicy nuances and layers of savouriness.
Certified organic with BioGro NZ.
Origin - Marlborough, Southern Valleys
The Southern Valleys are in Marlborough's Wairau Valley and home to sloping sites that both aid ripening and drainage, due to their north facing aspect, high sunshine hours and slopes. Clay soils here are valued.
Joelle Thomson... Savouring and shaping meaningful narratives about wine.
Email: mailme@joellethomson.com
