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, 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 Domain Leflaive!
Kumeu’s “entry-level” chardonnay reveals the true class of this producer. Vastly underpriced for the sheer quality in the glass.
“The first vintage of Village Chardonnay I tasted was from the 2002 vintage and it has been my “house Chardonnay” ever since. ” Bob Campbell – MW
About the 2024 from the winemaker: … This is a wine where we always have a bottle in the fridge. The perfect aperitif Chardonnay, it’s a wine that pairs very well with all types of seafood. This vintage is 30% fermented in old French oak barrels and 70% in stainless steel tanks. The barrel fermentation adds richness without overwhelming oak influence, while the tank fermentation lets the vibrant fruit shine. Expect lively lime and lemon aromas, complemented by a flinty, mineral palate with notes of fig and white peach.
“If Michael Brajkovich MW were a Burgundian rather than a New Zealander, he would be among the most celebrated white winemakers in the Côte de Beaune, right up there with the likes of Dominique Lafon, Pierre-Yves Colin Morey and Jean-Marc Roulot. The good news for us is that we can buy his amazing Chardonnays at ludicrously cheap prices. This is only his entry-point wine, but is typically well balanced, refreshing and focused, with just a hint of oak spice, leesy complexity, some struck match undertones and a chiselled, refreshing finish. A Kiwi wine that’s better than many Puligny-Montrachets.” 93 Points, Tim Atkin MW, October 2020 (review for 2019)
RRP $33 Our Price $27.50
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