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. Handpicked fruit and vigorous selection from the low yielding vines, whole bunch pressed, wild yeasts, a third of the fruit 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 Domaine Leflaive!
“If you can taste history, duty and family pride in a glass, it’s there in the Kumeu River Chardonnays … some of New Zealand’s greatest Chardonnays, not to mention the world’s.” Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW, The Wine Advocate
“If these aren’t the best chardonnays in New Zealand (and some of the best in the world), I’d like to see what could roll them.” Huon Hooke, SMH, Oct 2012
This wine is produced from a vineyard previously owned by Tim and Angela Coddington whose grapes have contributed to the blend of Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay since 1998. It is a vineyard that produces very rich and unctuous Chardonnay that Kumeu River have long believed could make an excellent single vineyard wine. In 2006, they decided to give Coddington single vineyard status to reflect this vineyard’s unique character.
The excellent 2022 vintage came on the heels of three others, in a magnificent chain of four superb quality harvests .. As winemaker Michael Brjkovich says “..the Single Vineyards are shining examples of the Kumeu style. The terroir differences between various parcels are very distinct, really highlighting their individual personalities.”
Harvested in perfect conditions the 2022 Coddington shows a step up from what we have seen in the past from this vineyard. The wine is beautifully ripe in the yellow peach and apricot spectrum, with a background of toasted oak and caramelised hazelnut. It is the biggest style in the Kumeu River range, and satisfyingly rich as such, but also nicely balanced with its acidity.
95 points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate “The 2022 Coddington Chardonnay leads with lemon balm/oil, green-olive brine, crème brûlée top (a.k.a. scorched brown sugar), peach fuzz, and an abundance of orchard fruit. In the mouth, kiwi fruit acidity (a.k.a. juicy, sweet, tart) defines the perimeters of the flavors and beckons you in for another, closer look. It’s very, very good, a distinct wine, pure, all aspects delineated and deliberate. I like this. It feels orderly and mathematical. If the wine had a sound, it would be a straight-pace bowl at the wickets, one flying out of stumps (name a better sound, I’ll wait). It’s not that immediately obvious, though; it builds and takes a while to assert itself, and I like that too. Very good.”
95 points, Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintners “Coddington is on a brilliant run of form in recent vintages, closing the gap to Hunting Hill and Maté’s Vineyard qualitatively. Pale lemon in the glass with a boisterous nose of orchard fruits, pineapple and peach crumble, it is intense and full of character. This follows on the palate, which is concentrated yet deftly balanced. Ripe waves of orchard fruit are matched by tangy acidity. With a texture like satin and succulent fruit at the core, it has just the right hit of baking spices and wood smoke. This is a delicious rendition of this single vineyard wine, and really showcases its individual personality. Powerful and long to the finish, this is the essence of Coddington.”
Our Special Price $89.99 … very limited, while stocks last!
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.