This morning started with a 4:30 AM alarm and a trip to Billingsgate Fish Market, where I found a great selection, including some large prawns and five fine sea bass. After enjoying a scallop and bacon roll accompanied by milky coffee (not wine), I headed to spend time with my family.
We prepared the fish, and it turned out to be exceptionally good. The prawns were also impressive. This setting provided the perfect opportunity to taste four excellent Chardonnays, all of which delivered impressive performances. The oakier options—the Meursault and the Hawke’s Bay—paired particularly well with the fish. However, the pricing of the Meursault is quite staggering, but that’s the reality of modern Bourgogne.
Here’s a brief overview of the Chardonnays we tasted:
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Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay 2023, West Auckland, New Zealand: This wine is taut and focused, showcasing a steely edge in the citrus fruit, complemented by hints of pineapple and struck flint minerality. It’s an attentive and precise Chardonnay with incredible intensity and a lengthy, mineral finish. Rating: 95/100 (approximately £43).
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Sileni Exceptional Selection Chardonnay 2023, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand: Generous with flavors of peach, pear, and spice, this well-balanced wine combines rich fruit with appealing spicy oak. Rating: 93/100 (price information not available).
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Heggies Vineyard Cloudline Chardonnay 2023, Eden Valley, Australia: Bright and lively, it presents pineapple and lemon alongside crystalline citrus notes. The wine features a delightful acid line with a tapering finish. Rating: 94/100 (UK retail £14.99 at Co-op).
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Bouchard Père et Fils Meursault Les Clous 2021, Bourgogne, France: With 13% alcohol and 15% new oak, this estate wine from Bouchard offers a stony and vivid profile, possessing savory, nutty, and spicy characteristics alongside rich pear and peach fruit. It boasts lovely complexity and depth, with a rich and mealy finish. Rating: 94/100 (UK retail around £80).
With each Chardonnay demonstrating unique qualities, it’s clear that many regions are excelling in producing high-quality wines.