Brancott Estate Letter Series O Chardonnay

Some plonker once said “O is for Awesome” but Chardonnay guzzlers from back in the day will probably remember Montana’s (now called Brancott Estate) “O” Chardonnay from Gisborne, which really was quite awesome. A classic big, buttery and bold Gizzy Chard in a glass!

These days Brancott have taken the Chardy in the Letter Series down to Marlborough. What was O for Ormond is now O for Omaka. This sub region in Marlborough is something of a hotspot for wicked Chardonnay with other top NZ producers like Saint Clair just down the road knocking out world class Chardonnay under their own label.

They call it an “highly textured, complex expression of Chardonnay“, we think this is some seriously unbelievable Chardonnay for a snip under $20 and undoubtedly one of the best from the 2016 vintage. That ain’t no exaggeration – this label has scooped now fewer than FIVE (yes, 5!) Gold medals at some of the biggest wine shows here in NZ and on the international wine scene and was voted 5 Stars, Best Buy & No.4 Chardonnay in Cuisine. For the record, here’s the stunning list of gongs…

5 Stars, Best Buy & No.4 NZ Chardonnay (Cuisine magazine 2017)
Gold medal (Air NZ Wine Awards 2017)
Gold medal (Int’l Wine Challenge London 2018)
Gold medal (NZ Int’l Wine Show 2017)
Gold medal (Marlborough Wine Show 2017)
Blue/Gold & Top 100 (Sydney Int’l Wine Comp 2018)
4 1/2 Stars (Michael Cooper MW)

This has the legs to be cellared for 5-10 years from vintage – best served with chicken, pork or veal in rich, creamy sauces! Mmm!