Kumeu River - Chardonnay Maté's Vineyard 2023

Family owned and operated since 1944 by the Brajkovich family, Kumeu River was one of the early pioneers in Auckland, New Zealand and helped establish its reputation as a word-class wine region. Still family owned and run, Kumeu River continues to pioneer new frontiers: winemaker Michael Brajkovich became New Zealand’s first member of the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine, London.

Maté’s vineyard is located next to an old creek, and is Kumeu River’s lowest-lying vineyard and oldest vineyard site. It has a very sheltered position and faces north to the sun. Planted solely to Mendoza clone which has grapevine leafroll, leading to extremely low yields and slower ripening but a distinct character that the winery is quite fond of. A site that consistently gives intense confectionary characters to the Chardonnay, such as caramel and candied orange rind.

Fruit was hand-harvested, whole bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeast in older French Oak barrels. After malolactic fermentation is complete, the wine is then matured for 11 months in French oak.

"Very steely and floral, with brightness and impressive aromas of honeysuckle, lemongrass and just a touch of cream. Medium- to full-bodied with layered and creamy phenolics that give a lovely, almost velvety texture to the wine, and then the end is so crisp and minerally. Driven at the end. Needs time to come together. This will be so complex in three to four years.” - 97 Points, James Suckling

Producer: Kumeu River

Country: New Zealand

Region: North Island

Varietal: Chardonnay

Appellation: Kumeu

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml