Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2022

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.

Jancis Robinson MW “This is Kumeu River’s calling card.” 

From the winemaker about the 2022:   “Hand harvested. Whole-bunch pressed. Indigenous yeast fermentation. 100% barrel fermentation 100% malo-lactic fermentation, 11 months maturation in barrel. The excellent 2022 vintage came on the heels of three others, in a magnificent chain of four superb quality harvests.

“The excellent 2022 vintage came on the heels of three others, in a magnificent chain of four superb quality harvests .. 

“The Kumeu vineyards that contribute to this wine gave us a blend of Chardonnay that is particularly ripe, peachy and not only delicious to drink. But also has the concentration and lingering complexity that we expect from this wine. This is quality Chardonnay wine of style and pedigree that we know has the capability of aging as well as any of its predecessors.

95 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com “Aromas and flavors of sliced apples, lemon curd and hints of stone. Oyster shell. Lime undertones. It’s medium-bodied. Firm and fine phenolics. Tension and focus. Impressive for the vintage. “

93 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “Such lovely stylish Chardonnay from this producer. White peach, almond meal, subtle floral and fennel/mint perfume, light cinnamon spice. It’s fluid and mellifluous, almond biscuit with some citrus and apple, fine powdery texture, flecked with pleasant green things, a slight oyster shell flavour and a cool and creamy finish of excellent length, with a subtle sappy aftertaste. Calm, composed and such a lovely thing to drink. Highly recommended.”

93 points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate “The 2022 Estate Chardonnay is nutty and svelte, with white peach, pastry, apricot kernel, brine and even a hint of malt biscuit through the finish. The wine has breadth and girth to it; it’s not at all compact, but it’s tight in texture. So, all things being equal, it’s an exciting Chardonnay ..”

16.5 points, Jancis Robinson MW, jancisrobinson.com “Some real richness on the nose. Then a green streak. Very fine texture! With Puligny savour and lift. Creamy yet fresh. Bullseye for the style..”

Our Price $54.99 – while stock last

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