Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay Auckland – 2023

Kumeu River Chardonnay is drawn from six different vineyard sites in the Kumeu Region. They are particularly careful to select only the very best grapes from these vineyards for their Estate label. This wine consistently offers excellent quality, albeit with just a little less new oak and fruit intensity than Mate’s Chardonnay, at a very fair price.

“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.” 93/100 James Suckling

“100% barrel fermentation (5+ year old+ French oak Barriques), 16% tank fermentation: 12.5% alc.

Drawn from fruit from six different sites in the Kumeu region and using a high proportion of one and two-year-old oak barrels, this is the real deal, and it sings of the time-honoured Kumeu River style.  Forward drinking and less fleshy than 2022, this is a superb, clean, racy wine, and it will certainly run for a good three or four years.  This is a super wine that is light, airy and teasingly refreshing.”  17.5/20 Matthew Jukes

“The 2023 Estate Chardonnay leads with preserved citrus, white flowers, crushed nuts and brine. In the mouth, the wine is light and lacy—hints of green apple, nectarine and a little tangerine—with taut acidity that vibrates through the ethereally weighted fruit. It’s a light iteration of this wine and lovely for it. It was made with handpicked fruit, whole-bunch pressed and barrel fermented using indigenous yeasts. 12.5% alcohol’s sealed under screw cap.” 91/100 The Wine Advocate