Pick of the Bunch
Queens Wineshop’s Monthly Wine Recommendation
Pick of the Bunch is our monthly series with Queens Wineshop, where John shares one standout bottle he thinks is worth getting your hands on. Expect a quick hit of wine insight, a great recommendation, and a little added incentive: head into Queens Wineshop to pick up this month’s Pick of the Bunch and receive 15% off the bottle price.
This Month's Pick:
For this month's edition, John has selected a Chardonnay that tells a story of two generations. Penelope Radburnd Chardonnay 2025 brings a fresh perspective to one of Hawke's Bay's most respected winemaking legacies, balancing bright fruit, finesse and thoughtful winemaking in every glass.
Penelope Radburnd Chardonnay 2025
Few names carry as much weight in New Zealand wine as Kate Radburnd. One of the country's most decorated winemakers, Kate has spent decades championing Hawke's Bay's cool-climate vineyards, producing wines celebrated for their precision, elegance and unmistakable sense of place.
The Penelope Radburnd range, created by Kate's daughter, offers a fresh perspective on that legacy. While honouring the region and the family's winemaking heritage, the collection explores a more contemporary expression of Hawke's Bay.
The 2025 Chardonnay opens with vibrant white peach, ripe melon and a lift of lemon zest, underpinned by notes of wet stone and delicate honeycomb. Barrel fermentation adds gentle spice and a silky texture, bringing balance and complexity without overshadowing the wine's bright acidity.
This is the sort of Chardonnay I find myself reaching for throughout winter, and one I think you'll come back to long after the first bottle.
~ John Robertson
