Finely poised and with stylish French oak nuances, offering attractive notes of rockmelon, fig, vanilla and a touch of struck match flint the palate is enhanced by a sleek and refined mouthfeel leading to a sublime finish.

Enjoy this premium quality Chardonnay from Marlborough, with attractive aromatics of white peach and almond with subtle flinty tones. The palate has an embracing texture and creaminess with a brioche, gentle oak influence and a lasting finish.

FOXES ISLAND By John Belsham Chardonnay, Marlborough

All the way over at New Zealand’s Middle Earth, we find an incredible and sustainable winery creating chardonnay with as much love and attention as their famous pinot noirs. Grilled chestnuts lead the aromas, with other characters like almond, hazelnut and buttered toast. The fruit flavours deliver like freshly squeezed juice from your local hawker. From Nelson, the sunniest region in NZ - chardonnay made in this rich, quality style, is also super fresh. Great wines over here - we just love Middle Earth!

Founded by Steve Planthaber, originally from Adelaide but post school left for the South Island of New Zealand. A move to Marlborough with his partner Kirsty Sutherland cemented his love for all things wine. Hard not to be inspired when meeting the Sutherland’s who were one of the pioneers of viticulture in the region, part of the original success of Cloudy Bay followed by establishing their own estate Dog Point. Steve was keen to find his own path and after 12 years running the production and operations at Cloudy Bay decided to begin his own wine brand, Settlement. Settlement, named after the stunning Amphitheatre single vineyard site in the Omaka Valley, is dedicated entirely to the production of organic, old vine single vineyard expressions of very special sites in Marlborough. Poplars vineyard is further south in the Brancott Valley, just next to the famous Section 94 vineyard. Named after trees surrounding the site the vines were planted in 1992, Mendoza clone (now 28 years old). Alluvium soils over a clay subsoil as opposed to the river rock/silt of the Wairau valley floor. Hand-picked, racked of solids, wild ferment in barrel, then elevage for 12 months, 15% new.

When it comes to premium chardy, complexity is king. This plays all the shots; tropical melon fruits, grapefruit and mouthwatering citrus, and toasty, buttery, nutty breadth on the palate. Spice box and vanilla mark the quality oak, and the acid persists through the enduring finish. If you're looking for the quintessential NZ chardy, then this is your eureka moment, Mofo.