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
Hunting Hill is a vineyard that was first planted in 1982 and became a significant part of the original Kumeu River Chardonnay blend. Occupying the slope overlooking Maté’s Vineyard, it has always contributed lovely ripe and rich fruit to the Estate Chardonnay. Hunting Hill was replanted in 2000 and is now even better than before, giving beautifully ripe fruit with a distinctive, mealy minerality.
“History will see 2021 sitting very nicely in the trio of outstanding vintages: ’19, ’20 and ’21. 2021 was my 40th Vintage at Kumeu, and I have never seen a run of vintages of this quality before.” Winemaker Michael Brajkovich
Hunting Hill is very distinctive in its terroir typicity, with piercing lemon/lime fruit lift and florality on the nose, with richness and volume in the mouth followed by lingering acidity and minerality on the finish. A beautifully elegant wine.
96 Points, Gary Walsh – The Wine Front “A little struck match, hazelnut, grapefruit and white peach, a fair amount of sweet spice too. It’s dry, has lots of crunch and energy, distinctly flinty, hazelnut skin grip, grapefruit, ginger and lime, intense and tightly wound, maybe a little quinine and cucumber skin, and a long gently bitter finish of precision and super length. Outstanding. A great Chardonnay here.”
96 Points, Bob Campbell MW “Concentrated, taut, Burgundy-like wine with grapefruit, oyster shell, lime blossom and a subtle seasoning of spicy oak supported by a tangy backbone of acidity. It has power, poise and purity. A high-energy chardonnay with a lingering finish.”
Our Price $114.99 – VERY LIMITED – LAST BOTTLES!
