KUMEU VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2020

This Chardonnay from the incredibly accomplished and internationally revered Chardonnay producer, Kumeu River has been getting some impressive press lately. The 'baby' Chardonnay in the Kumeu range now includes fruit from Kumeu's new Rays Road vineyard in Hawkes Bay. It has always offered great value, but this 2019 steps this up another notch. Interesting to note that the current bottling release has more richness and depth from extended lees aging making it even more impressive. Not a big Chardonnay, just big on deliciousness!

Winery notes (2019 Vintage)
"This is a wine where we always have a bottle in the fridge. The perfect aperitif Chardonnay this wine also goes very well with all types of seafood. Fermented 45% in old French oak barriques, and 55% in stainless steel tanks there is very little oak influence on either nose or palate. This has allowed 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."

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."