Te Mata Elston Chardonnay. How lucky we are with this illustrious wine.  Although it is definitely permanently wedged into the top few Chardonnay’s in the country the current vintage is always available and at a good price; around $35.  It is even stocked at a number of good supermarkets. The 2005 version proved widely agreeable and vanquished all in our recent Australasian Chardonnay Challenge.   The delights of this wine unravel at four to five years from release.  Smart and patient people give it time before popping the cork. It should be a cellar staple for the NZ Chardonnay fan.

2003 Te Mata Elston Chardonnay. The colour of this wine doesn’t show too much age though it has a more golden straw hue to it as apposed to the greener tinge it gives off when young.  The nose is quite subtle with hints of meringue, bottled lemon and more savoury minerally or brine like notes.  On the palate we still see plenty of tension releasing concentrated lemon and nectarine fruit with shades of granny smith apple, citrus pith and zest. There are layers of flavour with deep bottled fruit undertones overlaid with fresh steely citrus.  There is some brilliant integration here and the long mecurial finish is mesmerising and though provoking with shadows of cream caramel lingering.  At this stage in its life this offering from a cooler Hawkes Bay vintage is superlative. It is both bold and elegant. If you are lucky enough to have any of this tucked away there is no rush.  No doubt it will hold for a good two or three years yet.  However in all honesty why wait.  Tuck into this as soon as you can. It is gorgeous. 100/109