| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | New Zealand > Auckland |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
The 2014 Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay has a riveting, brilliantly defined bouquet of oyster shell, citrus peel and apple blossom, all very penetrating and focused. The palate is well balanced with superbly pitched acidity and well-integrated oak. There is real depth and persistence to this Chardonnay, yet there is also an effortless feel, as if it knows how good it is. World-class stuff. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.
The 2014 Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay delivers wonderful intensity with fragrant lemon, orange blossom and grapefruit aromas plus crushed stones, flint, toast and yeast extract hints. Medium-bodied, the palate is filled with vibrant citrus flavours and great acidity, finishing with excellent. Drink 2016-2026.
Complex both nose and palate has the richness of ripe fruit yet the underlying freshness of lime and flint. Ripe peach some fleshy melon gives mid richness but towards the back the fresh fruit the citrus and the mineral take over lighten and streamline the finish. 2018-28
Michael Brajkovich is very confident that the 2014 vintage will come to be regarded as one of the greatest vintages ever for Kumeu River Chardonnays.
Maté's Vineyard was planted in 1990 and this single vineyard Chardonnay was barrel matured for 10 months in French oak, of which 30% was new. After a further 6 months ageing in stainless steel tanks, the wine was bottled in August 2015.
A slightly deeper colour than the other 2014 Kumeu Chardonnays but it still looks bright. A big, plush, intense nose of ripe Chardonnay fruit combined with subtle, smoky French oak, spice and minerality. Packed with intensity. Exotic and creamy.
On the palate there is sensational density. This is probably the most viscous wine we've ever tasted from Kumeu River. Really thick and mouth-filling. Despite the massive weight there is a gorgeous cut of vibrant, fresh, mineral acidity. This a perfectly balanced, highly defined wine of great precision. At teh same time it is opulent and steely. This would give any Premier Cru White Burgundy (or even a Grand Cru) a serious challenge. Lingering, zingy, fresh citrus fruit. Very long, lingering finish. Best ever? Drink after a few years in bottle or keep for a decade or more.
1200 cases produced.
Savour on the nose and extremely burgundian. So composed. Such balance. Everything in its place. Almost the weight of a burgundy grand cru. Smashing! Great crystalline structure with massive fruit in the middle. Still some chew on the end.
Drink 2018-2035
This top bottling from the oldest vines is a powerful wine wound into a complex yet contained mode. It has plenty of savory hazelnut and biscuit aromas that combine with orange hints and flinty moments in the glass. The palate's fuller than the others, really fleshy and packed with peach flavors. A wine that demonstrates a sense of weight as it heads to the convincing finish. Drink now.
The 2014 Chardonnay Maté's Vineyard offers lemon sorbet and ice cream cornet. It's still toasty and smoky, with cloves, nectarine, and flint, and it's oh-so young. It's a meal in itself, with its almost chewy nature. Incredibly, this is ten years old. There is still plenty of substance, and I'd suggest you don't want to drink this yet. It's long and flavorsome.
Quite toasty nose with some hazelnuts and earthy funk, this is a powerful and impressively structured chardonnay that's anything but charming. Bold mineral finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
