Kumeu River 2020 Rays Road Chardonnay
This is the first time that we have offered this wine. This is the newest of Kumeu River's single-vineyard wines. The debut vintage was 2018, but it has taken a few vintages for the wine to assimilate into the Kumeu style. Saying that, it has its own personality, much of which down to the fact that the vineyards for this wine are located in Hawkes Bay, on an elevated vineyard of pure limestone. The resulting wine is closer to Chablis in style as opposed to the rounder, Cote d'Or of the Auckland single vineyard wines.
The nose, at this stage, is quiet but there is a tremendous amount of latent complexity lurking underneath. With a little coaxing the wine shows vibrant minerality and citrus-like fruit, more towards to lighter side of the fruit spectrum - more yellow than golden fruits. Although we enjoyed previous vintages, this is the first time I really thought that it was worth that little bit extra over the Estate Chardonnay, and for those with deep cellars, this could take some serious ageing.
"Neat and well integrated, quite restrained. And already very accessible though with light, fine tannins and quite opulent fruit on the front palate. Sprightly. Lemon-pastille flavour. Very long. Beautifully made." Jancis Robinson MW, jancisrobinson.com
The Producer
Kumeu River
Kumeu River is Noble Grape's favourite producer of Chardonnay from New Zealand, and quite possibly, I would even go as far to say, in the Southern Hemisphere. The winemaker Michael Brajkovich was New Zealand’s first Master of Wine, and one of the country’s leading viticulturists. Kumeu River is located very close to Auckland and makes Chardonnay their speciality. These wines pay homage to Burgundy and it is fair to say that they are almost indistinguishable from their French counterparts, except for their own unique freshness and brightness.
The Country
New Zealand
Brits have fallen in love with the wines of New Zealand. The affair probably has much to do with the colonial heritage, but it also has a great deal to do with the excellent, benchmark wines that are produced here. The story must begin with Sauvignon Blanc, but certainly doesn’t end there. Since the 1970s the region of Marlborough has become the go-to area, perhaps in the world, for bright, crystalline ‘Savs’ which gave the French something to think about. But now, it is becoming as equally famous for its Pinots, which are now beyond just being less expensive alternatives to Burgundy, instead showing regional characteristics, from the dark cherry and spice of Central Otago to the brawn and dried herbs of Martinborough.
A special mention goes to the Chardonnays of Kumeu River of Auckland, as these are some of the most remarkable wines from this variety in the Southern Hemisphere.
