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Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River 2017

RegionNew Zealand
Subregion New Zealand > Auckland
ColourWhite
TypeStill
Grape VarietyChardonnay

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Label

Tasting Notes

The 2017 Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay has a really beautiful, quixotic bouquet of apricot blossom, white peach, minerals and dandelion scents that waft temptingly from the glass. The harmonious, lightly spiced palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity and a succinct, perfectly pitched finish that offers just the right amount of sapidity. Superb. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.

94
Neal Martin, vinous.com, February 2019

Always the longest lived of the Kumeu River Chards, the 2017 Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay starts off smoky and flinty, marked by zesty grapefruit and lime fruit. It's medium to full-bodied yet tightly coiled, with great energy, thrust and vitality, which translate into tremendous length on the electric finish. Drink Date: 2020 - 2030.

95
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (241), March 2019

The nose is fragrant with white flowers and lime freshness the palate starts with the crispness of Granny Smith apples. There is some sweet fruit at the back hints of tropical fruits, greengages and fleshy pink grapefruit the finish streamlined with a mineral streak. 2020-28

93
Derek Smedley MW, DerekSmedleyMW.co.uk, September 2018

The 2.6ha Mate's vineyard was planted in 1993, and as these vines reach maturity the quality of wine produced here continues to improve. Pale lemon in the glass, this has an explosive nose of peaches and red apples, paired with the classic struck match reduction and light toastiness that comes from this wine. The palate has great power and concentration, which expands into juicy and creamy stone fruits and light smokiness. The density and richness is tempered by waves of bright, refreshing acidity that give the wine great poise despite its power. The finish is very long, yet measured. A superb vintage for this site.

96
Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, October 2018

Beautiful sweet lemon blossom, white peach and honeysuckle notes, waxy green apples and real lift. The palate is intensely concentrated and rich with power, punch and real energy. This is one to watch, possibly the best expression since 2010 and 2014.

96+
Greg Sherwood MW, gregsherwoodmw.com, October 2018

Smells like GG Riesling! Aromatic, tight and with masses of acidity. Real grip.
Drink 2022-2035

17+
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, October 2018

This is a superb chardonnay. The nose is rich with fresh aromas of ripe peaches and nectarines, as well as a subtly spicy green-mango edge. The palate is so succulent and so concentrated, delivering mouthwateringly fresh nectarines and stylish grilled hazelnuts. Very pure, very focused and full of pleasure. Drink now. Screw cap.

96
Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com, October 2018

The mineral character of this wine is currently so pronounced and the fruit so closed that it’s not easy, also because of the slight funk from reduction, to identify the grape variety. On the palate, this marathon-runner chardonnay is very clean and highly structured with lots of drive, the finish very long and complex. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

97
Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com, October 2018
Read more tasting notes...

This has a round, fruity, rich punch to it. The profile is very familiar but I can’t quite place it. Corton-Charlemagne? Rich and thick. This is very Burgundian. Very long indeed. Gosh.

Joss Fowler, Vinolent.net, September 2018
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.