Black Cottage Chardonnay 2022 from Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand is a bright, modern chardonnay that pours pale gold and immediately lifts from the glass with ripe citrus, juicy mandarin, apricot and white flowers, all wrapped in a gentle layer of toasty nuttiness that feels inviting rather than heavy.

On the nose, this Black Cottage Chardonnay 2022 shows mandarin, apricot, peach and ripe apple alongside notes of almond, pine nut, cashew, brioche and a touch of flint, leading into an elegant, medium–bodied palate where stone fruits and citrus sit over subtle creaminess, hints of butterscotch and well–judged oak, finishing long, fresh and lightly smoky.

It is a brilliant match for pan–fried fish with lemon butter and capers, fish and chips, roast chicken, creamy pasta, BBQ prawns or soft cheeses, making Black Cottage Chardonnay 2022 a very handy all–rounder to have chilled for everything from casual weeknight dinners to relaxed long lunches with friends.