This Chardonnay from the incredibly accomplished and internationally revered Chardonnay producer, Kumeu River continues to receive impressive press around the world. The 'baby' Chardonnay in the Kumeu range now includes fruit from Kumeu's Rays Road vineyard in Hawkes Bay. It has always offered great value, and the 2023 is no exception. Not a big Chardonnay, just big on deliciousness!
Winery notes (2023 Vintage)
"Produced from grapes grown in Kumeu and Hawkes Bay this wine was fermented 84% in old French oak barriques, and 16% in stainless steel tanks. The barrel fermentation provides some richness but very little oak in influence. Combined with the tank fermentation this allows the vibrant fruit to show through beautifully with lively lime and lemon aromas and a flinty, mineral edginess with hints of fig and white peach.
The 2023 Vintage was a tricky vintage with lower ripeness levels where careful selection was crucial. As a result the quantity produced was over 30% less than the 2022 vintage. Our own Rays Road vineyard in Hawkes Bay made up 88% of the final blend which gives the wine a distinct limestone edginess. The moderate alcohol level of 12.5% gives a wine of freshness with a lovely flinty texture. The citrus elements of Chardonnay shine through with a refreshing cleansing finish."
Review for previous vintages below…
Rated Excellent, 5 Stars & 93+/100 NZ Wine Rater, July 2021 (2020 Vintage)
"This has a very appealing, clean, fragrant bouquet with subtle yet zesty lemon, and crisp, gala apple characters, complexed by aromas of lees, brioche, creme brulee, and wet stones. A restrained but very well-constructed wine with great harmony, balance, and poise and a salivating acid structure. It's all about texture, and drinkability. A wine that builds with time in the glass, and the palate goes on and on."
JancisRobinson.com (2020 Vintage)
"Surprisingly rich nose. Fine, appetising, crisp palate with just a little chewiness still evident at this point. There's a suggestion of sweet grapefruit juice. Really clean, fresh and long. Very Good Value."
93/100 Tim Atkin MW, timaitkin.com, October 2020 (2019 Vintage)
"If Michael Brajkovich MW were a Burgundian rather than a New Zealander, he would be among the most celebrated white winemakers in the Côte de Beaune, right up there with the likes of Dominique Lafon, Pierre-Vves Colin Morey and Jean-Marc Roulot. The good news for us is that we can buy his amazing Chardonnays at ludicrously cheap prices. This is only his entry-point wine, but is typically well balanced, refreshing and focused, with just a hint of oak spice, leesy complexity, some struck match undertones and a chiselled, refreshing finish. A Kiwi wine that’s better than many Puligny-Montrachets."
93/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, May 2020 (2019 Vintage)
"This is the best Kumeu Village Chardonnay that I can recall tasting thanks to an excellent vintage and perhaps the Hawke’s Bay component. It’s an ethereal chardonnay with appealing citrus, stone fruit and struck flint flavours. The wine has a pour-me-another-glass texture. Great value at this price."
91/100 Cameron Douglas MS, May 2020 (2019 Vintage)
"Really lovely bouquet of Chardonnay with a fleshy, varietal soft and silky textured bouquet (yes the bouquet!). On the palate – flavours of white peach and apple, citrus and spice and calm even emergence of oak. Medium+ ish acidity, a hint of salt and a balanced, even and lengthy finish. This is easily the best Village Chardonnay KR wine have produced. Best drinking is upon purchase and through 2022."