Producer: Kumeu River
Region:Auckland, New Zealand
Varietal: Chardonnay
Year: 2020

James Suckling, 91 Points

“As always, this has a selection of riper fruit, in the more tropical spectrum of melon and peach. It retains purity well. The palate holds such impressive concentration and hits the mark of freshness. A very strong release, representing real value.”

Jancis Robinson,

“Surprisingly rich nose. Fine, appetizing, crisp palate with just a little chewiness still evident at this point. There’s a suggestion of sweet grapefruit juice. Really clean, fresh and long.”

Winemaker Notes:

“Produced from hand harvested grapes grown in Kumeu and Hawkes Bay, this wine was fermented 42% in old French oak barriques, and 58% in stainless steel tanks. The barrel fermentation provides some richness but very little oak influence. Combined with the tank fermentation, this allows the vibrant fruit to show through beautifully with lively lime and lemon aromas and a flinty, mineral edginess with hints of fig and white peach.

We thought the 2019 vintage was outstanding, but the 2020 vintage has turned out even better and has delivered a Village wine of great complexity. The weighty mid-palate shows peachy ripeness along with crisp acid minerality that gives the wine a refreshing cleansing quality. This wine is delightful as an aperitif, and even better to drink with fish and shellfish.”

Alcohol: 13.5%

*Price and availability in store may vary. Vintage date may differ from pictured.