Soho Carter Chardonnay 2021 by Soho Family Vineyards from Waiheke Island is a seriously classy coastal Chardonnay, packing ripe stonefruit and citrus into a luxurious, creamy frame that still feels bright and finely poised. This Carter Chardonnay 2021 release shows real vineyard pedigree with concentration, tension and polish.

In the glass, expect aromas of ripe peach, nectarine, apricot and lemon peel, layered with vanillin oak, oatmeal, panna cotta, roasted hazelnuts and a flinty struck‑match nuance. The palate is richly textured yet linear, with creamy panna cotta, stonefruit, baked apple, cashew and toasty oak riding on fresh mineral acidity and a superbly long, satin‑cream finish.

On the food side, this is built for buttery lobster linguine, creamy chicken carbonara, roast pork with crackling or miso‑roasted pumpkin with hazelnuts, where that creamy weight and nutty oak can wrap around the richness. It will also sing with washed‑rind cheeses or a simple roast chook on a Sunday arvo.