| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | New Zealand > Auckland |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Kumeu River
The 2014 Estate Chardonnay gives a lot of character and bang for your buck, offering ripe peach, lemon curd and honeysuckle notes with an allspice undercurrent. Medium-bodied, the palate has spot-on intensity and balance with a fine acid backbone delivering the long stone fruit and citrus laced finish.
Racy fresh the nose has mineral and citrus the palate is rich with ripe greengage and melon depth of flavour. Citrus, flint and mineral underpin a streak of freshness but it fills out at the back with nectarine and pear depth of fruit on the finish. 2018-25
Subtle hints of flint and smokey reduction but with plenty of waxy green apples, white citrus and wet chalk base notes. Definitely extra depth and aromatic definition on this 2014. The palate is polished and sleek, focused and bright with crystalline acids, pithy lime and lemon, white peach, yellow grapefruit and a long, dusty finish with impressive intensity more reminiscent on the single vineyard wines. Delicious.
Lime-sherbet nose. And then a little sweet on the palate – less intense than the 2015 but very respectable. Slightly dry finish. Still great potential.
Drink 2017-2024
Showing impressive purity and focus right from the very first impression, this provides flinty lemons, yellow grapefruit and peach and melon fruits that all sit in perfect, harmonious layers on the nose. The palate's assertively flavored, meanwhile, with lemons, peaches and pineapple, as well as hints of creamed honey and just the right acid balance, which allows this wine to sit long and fresh. Oak is a mere subtext here; it's all about pure, fresh fruit. Drink now.
The interplay of caramelized-pear flavor, toasty character and crisp acidity, makes this an exciting, maturing chardonnay. I love the long, creamy finish, too. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
