Kumeu River Mate’s Chardonnay 2017
$84.99
Flagship, single vineyard wine from outstanding vintage from premium NZ producer
Out of stock
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
From the winemaker, Michael Brajkovich MW: “In 1990, Maté Brajkovich reworked the land and planted a new vineyard of Chardonnay vines on the site of the original vineyard that he and his family purchased in March 1944. The first grapes from this vineyard were harvested in March 1993, the year following Maté’s death. The resulting wine was released in November 1994 to coincide with celebrations marking the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Brajkovich Family’s arrival at Kumeu River.
The Mate’s Vineyard is usually the most reserved and unyielding when young with a nose that is very closed, just giving hints of the golden queen peach and mineral notes that we expect from Mate’s Vineyard. On the palate however, the flavour is very concentrated and distinctly richer than the other 2016 wines, but maintaining a perfect balance and freshness that sets this wine apart and makes it wonderful. This is a wine of immense concentration that will be very long lived.”
97 points James Suckling : “The mineral character of this wine is currently so pronounced and the fruit so closed that it’s not easy, also because of the slight funk from reduction, to identify the grape variety. On the palate, this marathon-runner chardonnay is very clean and highly structured with lots of drive, the finish very long and complex. Drink or hold. ” (10/2018)
96 points, Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com: “This is a superb chardonnay. The nose is rich with fresh aromas of ripe peaches and nectarines, as well as a subtly spicy green-mango edge. The palate is so succulent and so concentrated, delivering mouthwateringly fresh nectarines and stylish grilled hazelnuts. Very pure, very focused and full of pleasure. Drink now. Screw cap.”
96 points, Bob Campbell MW: “Quite a concentrated chardonnay with lime, citrus, hazelnut, bran biscuit and a suggestion of tropical fruits, mango and pineapple. A weighty wine with impressive length and complexity. Good now but will obviously respond well to bottle-age.”
95 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: ” Always the longest lived of the Kumeu River Chards, the 2017 Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay starts off smoky and flinty, marked by zesty grapefruit and lime fruit. It’s medium to full-bodied yet tightly coiled, with great energy, thrust and vitality, which translate into tremendous length on the electric finish.” (JC) (2/2019)
94 points Neal Martin, Vinous Media: ” The 2017 Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay has a really beautiful, quixotic bouquet of apricot blossom, white peach, minerals and dandelion scents that waft temptingly from the glass. The harmonious, lightly spiced palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity and a succinct, perfectly pitched finish that offers just the right amount of sapidity. Superb. (NM) ” (2/2019)
Limited last bottles
Additional information
Producer | Kumeu River |
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Variety | Chardonnay |
Region or Country | Auckland, New Zealand |
Vintage | 2017 |