19 Crimes turned criminals into colonists. Upon conviction, British rogues, guilty of at least one of the 19 Crimes, were sentenced to live in Australia, rather than death. 19 Crimes Hard Chard is deep, rich and golden filled with stone fruit aromas and a sweet textured palate. The Hard Chard honours the brave contributions of the women banished to Australia with the boldest expression of Chardonnay they could make.

An opulent, oaky, buttery and toasty styled Chardonnay created with 100% oak barrel fermentation, 100% malolactic fermentation and oak aged in a mix of French and American oak.

On the nose, expect vibrant aromas of bright citrus, freshly plucked apples and delicate white jasmine. On the palate, stone fruit notes are met with rich undertones of vanilla and clove, harmonized with warm spice and a touch of oak-derived toastiness. The interplay between the oak and fruit brings a balanced finish, with higher toasty notes lingering gracefully.

Closeburn is Chard Farm's un-oaked Chardonnay. The fruit is grown throughout the Central Otago region and exhibits the regions natural elegant fruit flavours and mineral complexity. The wine is fermented in tank to retain its bright fruit. It is then left to rest on its yeast lees to gain some doughy complexity and softness. This is a refreshing full-bodied wine, unencumbered by oak and superb with food. Juicy nectarine and pear fruits, with apple blossom floral tones giving a nice lift to the attractive bouquet. The palate displays wonderful purity of tree fruit flavour. There is a nice flow to the structure and length, with good balance and chewy acidity.

Found in 1897, Church Road combines traditional winemaking techniques with modern thinking and innovation to craft premium, complex wines. This creamy textured Hawke's Bay Chardonnay is unashamedly just a little bit old school. Ripe peach, tropical fruit and fragrant citrus notes are enhanced by toasty oak, wild fermentation, full malolactic and regular yeast lees string. This approach delivers layers of flavour reminiscent of toasted brioche, roasted hazelnut and sizzle butter.

The McDonald Series wines are an expression of both their fruit and the vision of their namesake winemaker. The finest free run juice was barrel fermented in predominantly older French oak to produce this finely textured, elegant Chardonnay. Vibrant citrus and stonefruit flavours are overlaid with subtle creamy oak and complexities of toasted hazelnut and brioche.

The cool yet sunny environment of Craggy Range's Te Awanga Vineyard near Cape Kidnappers allows the development of intense Chardonnay flavours in the grapes, captured using traditional winemaking techniques seen in the Chablis region of France. The wine's colour transforms into a pale straw hue, instantly evoking the coastal essence of the vineyard. The bouquet carries hints of oyster shells, sea spray, and cashews, further reinforcing its seaside character. A sense of vibrancy and freshness on the palate is complemented by lively acidity that doesn't compromise flavour. The taste of fresh lemon curd and subtle oak adds richness and makes for a delicious and invigorating palate.

Dicey's boxed wine delivers exactly what you would hope for: frolicking, fruit driven fun with serious winemaking credentials. Inside the recycled cardboard cube are 2 litres of hand crafted Central Otago Chardonnay, made from Mendoza fruit grown at Black Rabbit and produced the right way, with foot stomping, whole bunch pressing, full solids, indigenous fermentation, full malolactic fermentation and months of stirring in old barrels to build richness, texture and balance. The nose shows peach, citrus and floral notes, while the palate is rich, textural and beautifully balanced.

This is a medium bodied and elegant Hawke's Bay Chardonnay. Its flavour profile is a mix of stonefruit, grilled nuts, grapefruit and yeasty nuances. It is both complex and delicious.

Fine example of a Marlborough Chardonnay from the team at Fickle Mistress.

Pale straw colour. Some golden peach, honeydew and sweet white florals on the nose. The palate expands subtly with quiet grace. The impression is of finesse and elegance with layers of creamy fruit.

A modern-style Chardonnay with luscious peach and apricot flavours, and notes of creamy butterscotch and vanilla. Toasty oak adds a delicious layer in this versatile, appealing wine.