Kumeu River Mate’s Chardonnay Auckland – 2016

Mate’s Vineyard is Kumeu River’s “Grand Cru” equivalent and producers their finest Chardonnay each vintage. This vineyard needs at least 3 years to reach the start of its drinking window and is taut and crisp in its youth. As it develops, gentle tropical fruit and fine vanilla oak flavours open up, and its vibrant, lively acidity gives it a long drinking window.

“Maté’s is usually the tightest, most linear of the KR Chards, and that’s again the case. The 2016 Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay is marked by smoky new oak, but there’s also pineapple and grapefruit notes that create a crisp, acidic spine. Draped off of that are hints of white peaches, roasted hazelnuts and tangerine. There’s an almost briny zestiness to the lingering finish that sets it apart from the winery’s other single-vineyard bottlings.” 94/100pts The Wine Advocate