Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2017

Description

Kumeu River, northwest of Auckland is without a doubt NZ’s finest chardonnay producer.  Master of Wine and winemaker Michael Brajkovich has been crafting fine chardonnay at the estate since the 1980’s.  Hand picked fruit and vigorous selection from the low yielding vines, whole bunch pressed, wild yeasts, 100%  fermented in French oak barriques and full malolactic fermentation to soften the pristine acidity and add texture and dimension. Not surprising Michael is not shy in comparing his Chardonnays with the great White Burgundies like Domain Leflaive!

At a blind tasting in London  (May 2015) of the most highly esteemed White Burgundies with a panel of experts (included leading wine writers Jancis Robinson and Neal Martin of eRobertParker.com) the Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2012 was the hightest rated wine against Etienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet and Anne-Claude Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet .. wines vastly more expensive!  As Jancis reported ..  “won hands down, costing a fraction of the wines they trounced” and added that “the Kumeu wines shone because they were better made and more sophisticated….fresh as a daisy and clearly a glorious future ahead”.  Other comments from the tasting …. Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate .. “Kumeu River’s Chardonnays … some of the best in the world … a world-class estate producing world-class wines.”    Mathew Jukes “…crushed the Old World stars with ease!  You must find a space for these wines in your cellar …these are incredible wines. One sip is all that is needed to add Kumeu to your list of greats.”

Only the best parcels of fruit from six different vineyard sites go into the Estate Label.

From the winery: “The 2017 vintage was cool and windy with some weather episodes during harvest. This made hand harvesting crucial in maintaining the standard of the Estate Chardonnay that we have set for this wine. The nose is immediately fragrant, a hallmark of 2017, with a touch of citrus and peach. The texture supple and with a beautiful bracing acidity on the finish. The wine is delicious now and will provide beautiful drinking over the next 6 years.”

92 points, Neal Martin “The 2017 Estate Chardonnay has a fresh, well-defined bouquet of citrus fruit complemented by subtle scents of brioche and almond. The palate is taut and crisp on the entry with a twist of sour lemon. Very saline in the mouth, not powerful but full of tension. The aforementioned saline tang lingers on the aftertaste. Superb – one of the best Estate releases in recent years.”

93 points, Stuart Pigott, jamessuckling.com “Enticing and very fresh nose of sliced pears and flowers with hints of almonds and vanilla. A great combination of vibrant fruit and silky texture, this tightly wound, medium bodied chardonnay is just beginning to unfurl its long banner. Great mineral freshness at the pristine finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.” 

16.5 points, Jancis Robinson “Fresh as a daisy on the nose. Very young and Chablis-like. But on the palate there is Cote d’Or richness and intensity, finishing with a strong youthful streak of lime.”

RRP $52  Our Special Price $39.99  LAST OF THIS VINTAGE.

(New 2018 vintage also available as Special 6 pack buy .. click here)