Te Mata Estate Woodthorpe Chardonnay 2005

Having gone dry since last Saturday, needed a nice white to relax and prepare the liver for Christmas. This Chardonnay from Hawkes Bay NZ, had aromas of nectarine, fig, hazelnuts, spice and cream. On the palate it was crisp and clean, with tight minerality and balance. Good length and a bone dry savoury finish lent this wine intensity yet finesse. This is a great effort for a mid-priced NZ chardonnay ($25) and would shame a lot of Australian chardonnays in the same or higher bracket. Apparently the previous vintage was served at the Queen's recent 80th birthday lunch, which would have pleased the makers no end.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100