KUMEU RIVER ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2023

The Brajkovich family have carved out a reputation second to none for Chardonnay and every new release adds to that reputation.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
"If you can taste history, duty, and family pride in a glass, it’s there in the Kumeu River Chardonnays… now producing some of New Zealand’s greatest Chardonnays, not to mention the world’s."

Winery notes (2023 Vintage)
"Kumeu River Chardonnay is drawn from six different vineyard sites in the Kumeu Region. We are particularly careful in selecting only the very best grapes from these vineyards for our Kumeu River Estate label."

93/100 James Suckling (2023 Vintage)
"This is fresh, crunchy and clean, with mineral and spice notes and plenty of salty undertones. Sliced lemons and apples. Medium-bodied with a fresh finish. Drink now. Screw cap."

16.5+/20 JancisRobinson.com, September 2024 (2023 Vintage)
"A blend of six different sites in Kumeu on clay with 60% owned by the Brajkoviches but all farmed by Milan B. All dry-farmed. Lots of different clones: 15, 6, 95, 54 and 1066. Hand-harvested. Whole-bunch pressed. Spontaneous fermentation in used French oak barrels (usually 20% new but not for this lighter vintage). 100% malo. 11 months’ maturation in barrel.

Distinctly lemon nose and mouth-filling. Good substance on the palate and definition. Great drink for the near term! Quite a step up from the Village. Athletic. I asked about ageability and was assured by Paul Brajkovich that the 2019 is looking very good now. Neat finish."