Thornbury Gisborne Chardonnay 2016

Rachelle O'Connor rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This award winning Chardonnay was created from grapes sourced from the Thornbury vineyards in Gisborne's Patutahi and Manutuke regions. The clay soils in Gisborne are great for draining and persistent ripening of Chardonnay. The nose shows ripe tropical fruit and a smokiness - the flavors on the palate are rich - layers of melon, pineapple, mango, with an underlying toasty notes from the 10 months in barrel before blending.

Cherie Cole rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Hailing from Gisborne, the Chardonnay capital of New Zealand, this full-bodied chardonnay was aged in oak for 10 months lending to its toasty, smokey notes. On the nose you are introduced to the tropical aromas of pineapple and melon, followed up with caramel sweet smoke. Complex, yet elegant. Pair with grilled chicken and pineapple chutney. Tasted September 2017.

Melanie Lloyd rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

This wine has aromas of pineapple, caramel, herbs and smoke. On the palate, it is creamy with flavours of lemon and a slight bitter finish. You taste the oak, but the fruit has the spotlight on this one.

Tasted September 2017

Andrea Shapiro rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Pale gold colour and quite intricate aromas of peaches, honey, oaky wood, smoky, grilled citrus, grilled mango, smoked fruit and grilled pineapple. Lots of "campfire" elements found here! In the mouth there are some reflected grilled pineapple flavours which echo the aromas. Also, a real creaminess too, both in taste and texture - creamy vanilla custard, vanilla wafer cookie and shortbread. Refreshing medium acidity and finish in this medium plus bodied, New Zealand Chardonnay from the Gisborne region. Pair with with mixed creamy grains, summer potato salad and almond risotto and seared grilled mushroom chicken.

Jane Staples rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

An award-winning Chardonnay made using a blend of grapes from different vineyards in the Gisborne region. A delicious nose gives caramel and a hint of smoke, then the rich palate is like Crème brûlée in a glass. As it warms up, a hint of citrus emerges, with mouthwatering acidity and a luscious finish. I'd like to taste this again with poached salmon in cream sauce, or turkey, or a dish of pecans. I'd like to taste this again and again!
Tasted September 2017 with the winemaker, Simon Fells.

Sylvain Segard rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Pale yellow straw colour. Aromas of buttered dry toast, underripe pineapples, and oak wood. The wine is fruit-driven with pineapple, ripe apples, and citrus peels flavours and feels creamy but dry on the palate with notes of almond and spices. It has a long fruity finish. Score 90. (S.Segard, reviewed Sept. 25, 2017)

Simon Chen rated this wine as 87/100 with the following review:

This is an interesting Chardonnay. On the nose, it smells like an old-world Burgundy white with toasty, citrusy aromas. However, on the palate, it tastes like a California Chardonnay. It's buttery, creamy, full body, and not much acid in the structure.

Pamela Chiles rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

A small percentage of the juice for this Chardonnay was fermented and aged in new barrels allowing bright pear and apple along with tropical fruit notes to balance the overall soft, creamy-buttery texture. Finish is lingering and toasty. Would be great with seared chicken or herb-olive crusted pork chops.