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. Hand harvested, whole-bunch pressed, indigenous yeast fermentation, 100% barrel fermentation,100% malo-lactic fermentation for 11 months.
From the winery about this wine: “The Kumeu vineyards that contribute to our Estate Chardonnay gave us some magnificent fruit in 2020. The level of citrus fruit complexity, and the layering of aromas and flavours that this wine shows are stunning. This new 2020 release is fabulous.”
Reviews of the 2020:
Jancis Robinson MW 17/20 “Lightly but not excessively reductive on the nose. Already quite expansive on the nose with beautiful impact on the palate: citrus, blossom and really neat acidity without much astringency. Elegant and racy – almost lightweight on the mid palate and then it is impressively persistent. A thorough delight already.”
94 points, Bob Campbell MW “Rich, textural and silken chardonnay with tree fruit, peach, nectarine, toast and brioche flavours. Seamless wine with a backbone of bright acidity helping to drive a lengthy finish. A stylish, polished chardonnay.”
17.5/20 Mathew Jukes 17.5/20 Mathew Jukes “Bold, assertive and punchy, this is a grand-shaped wine for the money ..”
94 points, Thomas Parker MW for Farr Vintners “Kumeu River’s Estate Chardonnay must be one of the best value white wines in the world. In a great vintage like 2020 (and 2019) – the high quality of fruit elevates this bottling even closer to the single vineyard wines.”
RRP $52 Our Price $46.99
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