Kumeu River Rays Road Chardonnay Hawkes Bay – 2022

Rays Road is Kumeu River’s newest vineyard site in Hawkes Bay, planted on a limestone hillside at 180 m altitude, with a northerly aspect. This Chardonnay was dry-farmed (ie no irrigation), hand-harvested, whole bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeast in older French oak barrels to give a wine that is zesty and fragrant, with mineral complexity that is very true to its site.

“The 2022 Rays Road Chardonnay is fine and spicy, with a tense line of acidity and phenolics—they feel linear and interwoven—that stream through the fruit. This is a very pretty, pithy Chardonnay with ground white pepper, white flesh peach, crushed shells, layers of juniper berry and star anise/cut fennel inflections. I like the staying power of the fruit in the mouth. It is persistent and long. This is really nicely done, and I’m looking forward to seeing this wine (and this vineyard) more over its journey. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.” 93/100pts Wine Advocate