Kumeu River Village Chardonnay Auckland – 2019

This is Kumeu River’s entry point Chardonnay. It has amazing freshness, intensity of flavour and even some minerality for such an affordable price and in my mind knocks spots off most generic white Burgundy village wines. Winemaker Paul Brajkovic MW considers 2019 to be his best vintage yet of this wine: “This is a wine where we always have a bottle in the fridge. The perfect aperitif Chardonnay this wine also goes very well with all types of seafood. Fermented 45% in old French oak barriques, and 55% in stainless steel tanks there is very little oak influence on either nose or palate. This has allowed the vibrant fruit to show through beautifully with lively lime and lemon aromas and a flinty, mineral edginess with hints of fig and white peach. The Village Chardonnay vineyards… all came on in a rush. They were still able to retain crisp earthy minerality from Kumeu, and some delightful stone fruit aromas from Hawkes Bay, to create a blend which must surely be our best Village Chardonnay ever.” Michael Brajkovich MW