Kumeu River Mate’s Chardonnay Auckland – 2020

Mate’s Vineyard is Kumeu River’s “Grand Cru” equivalent and producers their finest Chardonnay each vintage. This vineyard needs at least 2-3 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.

James Suckling awarded the 2020 vintage 100pts with the following comments:

“We are not going to be shy about it. We just gave a perfect score to a New Zealand chardonnay– Kumeu River Chardonnay Kumeu Mate’s Vineyard 2020. Both Contributing Editor Nick Stock and I
have been saying for years that chardonnay from New Zealand is amazing, and the perfect wine has finally arrived. It’s only the second time ever that JamesSuckling.com has awarded a New Zealand wine 100 points, and it came during our biggest tasting week ever – nearly 800 wines.
“They have set the standard for New Zealand chardonnay,” said Nick, who raved about all the 2020 Kumeu River Chardonnays he rated last week. “We are looking at the best set of releases ever from this winery. The Brajkovich family makes the wines and Michael Brajkovich is the winemaker, and he is relentless in finding quality.”
Nick has visited the Brajkovich family often and knows all about their attention to detail. I have known Michael since the 1980s when he was in London, and I have admired his wines ever since. I visited him in 2012 at the winery and he said at the time that he was inspired by Burgundy.

This is such impressive chardonnay in terms of power and complexity, delivering so much with such poise. Aromas of lemons and peaches intersect with lightly spicy oak and brioche on the nose. The palate drops mouth-filling flavors of peach and lemon and winds tight, before exploding long on the finish with a long, nutty afterglow. Perfect chardonnay. Drink over the next decade or more. Screw cap. 100pts James Suckling