“Lovely, smooth, slender and just wonderfully textured. A sophisticated Chardonnay with real individuality.” - Decanter, 93 points

As white Burgundy becomes an ever rarer and more expensive bird, we the impecunious, look to other parts of the world for our lightly oaked, flinty Chardonnay fix and New Zealand’s cool climate provides so many wonderful and great value alternatives, like Kumeu River and Blank Canvas. This Burgundy-shaped beauty, from Spoke Vineyards, has all the poise and elegance of a Saint Veran, with a wispy smokiness, reminiscent of cold mesquite embers, that permeates aromas of white peach, grapefruit and lime. On the palate, you’ll find subtle layers of shortbread and toasted hazelnuts from the barrel ageing, as well as kilowatt of citrus energy that animates the flavours through to a lip-smacking finish. 13% alc. Drink now-2028.

Vegan friendly.

Press reviews:

Decanter: “A sense of matcha tea and white pepper on the nose are wrapped into creaminess. The palate adds gentle, ripe yellow plum and lemon to these smooth, spicy notions on a body that in like an enveloping cloud of fresh creaminess. Lovely, smooth, slender and just wonderfully textured. A sophisticated Chardonnay with real individuality. Beautiful length. Drink now-2034.” 93 points

JancisRobinson.com: “Expressive and complex scents of smoke, pure citrus, white flowers. Subtle salty minerality makes it mouth-watering and savoury. Persistent finish. (FG). Drink now-2028.” 17 points

The Wine Advocate: “The 2022 Amped Chardonnay is rich but layered, with lemon sherbet acidity and very finely textured phenolics through the finish. An elegant wine, quiet and detailed. 13% alcohol, sealed under natural cork. Drink now-2032.” 91 points

Matthew Jukes (previous vintage): “This is the only Chardonnay outside of the Felton Road trio, to gain a gold medal score in my notes. It’s a grand, swaggering, Pouilly-Fuissé-bashing beauty, a glorious organic wine and a bargain to boot.” ‘Top 50 Wines of 2022’

Customer comments:

“We had a bottle of the Spoke Chardonnay last night which I thought was excellent!” - Mr A.W.

“Enjoying this!” - Mr J.M.

“Tried my first bottle last night, delicious.” - Mr F.W.