2023 Kumeu River Rays Road HB Chardonnay
Grape
Chardonnay
Its Origins
In 1938 Maté Brajkovich arrived in New Zealand with his parents, who settled in Kumeu and in 1944 bought a small vineyard which would later become Kumeu River wines. For a few decades Maté mostly made simple fortified and sparkling wines. It wasn't until 1982 however, when Matés son Michael took over, that the wines would really start to turn heads. Michael and his siblings began to transform the vineyard and vinification practices to more considered, traditional ways, with hand harvesting, improved drainage, judicious use of oak and only using the wild yeast present in the vineyard to bring a sharper definition of terroir into the wines. Matés vineyard is the original land bought in 1944, re-planted by Maté just before his death with low-yielding Mendoza clone Chardonnay in 1990.
What The Critics Say
94/100 James Suckling
"A tight, focused and dense white. Sliced cooked apples, minerals and stone, with hints of dried mangoes. It’s medium-bodied and focused with a flavorful finish. Lime undertones. Drink or hold."
Winemaker notes on the 2023 vintage
"We believe the 2023 Rays Road Chardonnay is the finest we have made from this vineyard to date. Immediately from the aroma we see the limestone flintiness and citrus which this vineyard is becoming known for. The palate is beautifully concentrated and has a density that we have not previously seen. Texturally beautiful and long this wine is delicious now but we are excited to see the effect of bottle age over the next 5- 7 years. The 2023 vintage in Hawkes Bay was affected by cyclone Gabrielle and Rays Road was at least lucky to be at 180 meters elevation to avoid any flooding. The vintage was still tricky however with cooler temperatures and less ripeness that usual."
94/100 Bob Campbell MW (2021 vintage)
"Tangy, refreshing wine with white peach, apple, lime/citrus, ginger/yeast lees and subtle spicy oak flavours with a thread of oyster shell/saline characters. Stylish wine from a favourable vintage."
| Variety | Chardonnay |
|---|---|
| Region | Hawkes Bay |
| Closure | Cap |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Maturity | 2024 - 2030 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
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If for any reason you are not entirely happy with your order or you suspect that they may be affected by a quality issue, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will remedy the problem straight away. Contact us on 0800 422 767.
