Seven Springs Unoaked Chardonnay 2011, Overberg, South Africa (£11.25-£12.25 Loki Wine, Bijou Bottles, Proteas Wines, Underwood Wines, C. A. Rookes, S.H. Jones, Frasers Budgens (Yarnton), City Beverage Company)
Good punchy style, with quite flesh peach and pear flavours and some nutty, leesy richness balanced by a zesty citrus and mineral backbone – think Mâcon fruit, Chablis freshness. S(-)

Seven Springs Chardonnay 2010, Overberg, South Africa (£12.55-£13.99 Loki Wine, Bijou Bottles, Proteas Wines, Underwood Wines, C. A. Rookes, S.H. Jones, Frasers Budgens (Yarnton), City Beverage Company)
A fatter style than the unoaked version, with more tropical fruit (pineapple) flavour and a honeyed, toasty note, but there’s still similar poise and freshness, with zesty freshness to clean up the finish. S(-)

Marimar Estate Don Miguel Vineyard Chardonnay ‘La Masía’ 2009, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California (~£25.49 for the 08 at Huntsworth Wine Co, Mill Hill Wines, Winedirect.co.uk, Vintagemarque.com)
Has a strange, exotic, almost dope-like aroma, but while the peach/nectarine flavours are pleasant, it’s just too full and buxom for real class, and the finish is a little sweet and confected. B

Marimar Estate Don Miguel Vineyard Chardonnay ‘Dobles Lias’ 2007, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California (contact J E Fells)
Big, buttery, rich with nutty peach-and-cream fruit, but overall simple and lacking tension. B-