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 winemaker about the 2023: “Kumeu River Chardonnay is drawn from six different vineyard sites in the Kumeu Region. We are particularly careful in selecting only the very best grapes from these vineyards for our Kumeu River Estate label.
Careful selection in 2023 was crucial in maintaining the quality and high standard of the Estate Chardonnay that we have set ourselves for over 35 years. Due to the lighter vintage the alcohol is a moderate 12.5% and no new oak was used in the vinification of this wine. There was a high proportion of 1 & 2 year old barrels and this has provided a beautiful balance to the Chardonnay which is a little more citrus in 2023 rather than peachy. The wine begins with a fragrant lemon aroma with hint of white peach. The palate silky and balanced with a lovely citrus finish. Delicious now but, as always, benefits from bottle age of 4-6 years.”
93 points – James Suckling “This is fresh, crunchy and clean, with mineral and spice notes and plenty of salty undertones. Sliced lemons and apples. Medium-bodied with a fresh finish. Drink now. Screw cap.”
RRP $61 **Special Price when you buy 6 or more of this wine $46.99**
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