| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | New Zealand > Auckland |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Kumeu River
The 2010 Hunting Hill Chardonnay is a little more closed than the Coddington, yet reveals distinctive grapefruit, honeysuckle and chalk aromas with hints of mace, ginger and croissant plus a whiff of cedar. Medium to full-bodied, it is silky, rich and spicy in the mouth and ends with a long, toasty finish. Absolutely delicious now, it will really reward cellaring and drink best 2013 to 2020+.
***Kumeu River's 2010 Chardonnay Hunting Hill is the joint highest-scoring New Zealand wine, along with their 2010 Mate's Vineayrd Chardonnay, in Wine Advocate # 203.***
(from a vineyard planted in 1982): Bright medium yellow. Subdued aromas of peach, minerals and spices. Densely packed, even opulent, but nicely juicy and energetic too; a step up in intensity and mineral grip from the Coddington chardonnay. The slowly building finish is spicy, firm and dry, with a dusty stone element and sound acidity giving the wine excellent back-end lift.
Struck match, wood smoke, graphite the nose is fragrant and fresh the palate citrusy and bright. There is mid richness white peach, pink grapefruit with a hint of greengage the back palate has mineral intensity flint and shale with lingering flavours. 2018-24
Dusty chalky limestone minerality leads from the start with youthful lemon lime citrus, lime and nutty, wet chalk mineral breadth and depth. Quite profound and alluring complexity.
A hint of reduction on the nose adds flinty complexity. Toast, bread and spice on the palate, which is almost structured but with fine acidity and lovely depth. Stylish with some citrus and floral notes.
Rich and creamy. Lime fool. Lots of grip on the end. Frosted vintage so very concentrated. Chewy.
Drink 2014-2020
UCD15 clone here and in Coddington. Iron pan under the vineyard. Like the 2009 but more so - richer and more generous on the nose. Still has a light floral note but a touch spicy too. Intense minerality and real power and persistence. So much more to come. Mouthwatering intensity that gives you almost a savoury finish. (JH) 13.5%
Drink 2014-2020
What a stunning combination of freshness and ripeness this wine has! Almost lush with very ripe pears and white peaches, yet so vibrant, thanks to the lemon and lime freshness. A joyful chardonnay that's deep and complex, but not difficult to understand. Savor the caressing finish as long as you can! Drink or hold. Screw cap.
Tasted blind at Farr Vintners Kumeu/White Burgundy tasting. The 2010 Hunting Hill Chardonnay is one of the best wines ever made at Kumeu River. Period. It has startlingly fresh, mineral scents on the nose, whisking you straight to somewhere like Puligny Pucelles rather than Auckland! There are traces of patisserie and pink grapefruit just in the background. The palate is supremely well balanced with vibrant acidity. The detail on the finish is exquisite with hints of lime, ginger and the feel of cold stone. Anyone who believes that New Zealand cannot make profound Chardonnay needs to taste this elixir. Drink: 2015 - 2030
The nose has the richness of ripe fruit the palate depth of flavour. Sweet in the middle a touch
of apricot but underneath the richness citrus refreshes the back palate lighter the finish has
length with lingering flavours. 2015-20
Pale greenish gold. Hint of veginess on the nose. Round and appealing. Precise yet with lots of fruit and freshness. Complete and absolutely not a hint of obvious ‘New World’iness. Drink 2015-2022.
More development, more open, more smoke. And totally open in the mouth. Perfectly developed; at its jack-knife in the dive or the pheasant just crumpled in the air. Yes. Cracking.” – n.b.: I’m not a shooter but I have always admired this description of a perfect moment in time (though clearly not for the pheasant involved).
