Mission Estate Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2012 – $ / $$

This is another of my go-to wines. It seems a touch ‘fuller’ than other Chards in it’s price bracket. Always reliable – most bottles are worthwhile, but every now and then you get a real cracker.

The wine is pale yellow. It has a light toasty aroma. On palate I taste apricot and slighly unripe peach, and some creamy malo. Think easy & clean, and should convince the ABC’s otherwise.

I think the wine is a touch young, and will improve in bottle as the year progresses. If you can get it for $10 a bottle, and you will at various times of the year, buy a few and put them under the house for 2016.