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Chardonnay Rays Road, Kumeu River 2018

RegionNew Zealand
Subregion New Zealand > Hawkes Bay
ColourWhite
TypeStill
Grape VarietyChardonnay

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Tasting Notes

This is the first vintage for Rays Road since Kumeu River took over the site. Based in Hawkes Bay, there are limestone soils and a northerly aspect here. The grapes are transported by truck to be vinified at the main winery in Auckland after harvesting by hand. This year, the wine was fermented and matured in 100% old oak barrels, eschewing new oak to preserve the delicate aromatics of the cooler vintage. This was a successful ploy, with the wine showing pure, mineral citrus and just a hint of smoky reduction on the nose. The palate is fine and vibrant, with a line of zesty acidity driving the fruit core forward. Savoury tones and a light viscosity come through from the lees, adding a little weight to the body, but this wine is all about linear freshness and zip. Long and cool on the finish, this is ready to drink now, but will evolve well in the bottle for 5-7 years.

92+
Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, September 2019

Quite a 'stony' nose and already lots of fun. Seems more than a year more evolved than the 2019. At a very nice stage now. Fresh and minerally and super-crisp but quite satisfying and not meagre at all. Super-clean. Just right for current drinking. If only all white burgundy offered this accessibility (I'm talking both price and taste). Really quite long. A neat, complete wine. At the moment I prefer this to the more intense but unformed Rays Road 2019. VGV 13%
Drink 2019 – 2025

17
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, September 2020

From a newly acquired site in Hawke’s Bay, this has a gently waxy edge and displays a wealth of ripe melon and pears. The palate is supple and mellow, very even and elegant with effortless length. Drink now. Screw cap.

92
Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com, October 2019
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.