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Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River 2015

RegionNew Zealand
Subregion New Zealand > Auckland
ColourWhite
TypeStill
Grape VarietyChardonnay

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Label

Tasting Notes

Really seductive nose of candied lemons, honeysuckle and vanilla, then stunning concentration and elegance on the medium to full palate, the finish very ripe and polished. Delicious now, but with a great future ahead of it. Screw cap.

98
Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com, October 2018

The 2015 Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay is a cracking example of this vineyard/vintage, starting with a youthfully reticent nose of lemon curd, grapefruit juice and peach blossoms with hints of crushed stones, lime leaves and brioche. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with an electric backbone of freshness supporting the intense citrus and mineral flavors, finishing with great length. It needs another 3-4 years in bottle to really get into its groove.

94+
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (228), December 2016

Yellow peaches and apricots the nose has a rich mix of fruits the palate breadth and depth. The supple fleshiness on the mid palate in underpinned by citrus a streak of freshness and although richer at the back the finish is flinty and bright. 2018-27

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

Bright lemon colour in the glass, the nose here is immediately aromatic with great density of ripe lemon, peach and even a little apricot cream on the nose. The palate is broad, ripe and viscous with incredible concentration and weight of ripe stone fruits. Hints of cream, gun-smoke, and even toasted oats give a great breadth and complexity to the flavour profile. The volume of flavour is lifted by balancing, refreshing acidity. The finish is very long and powerful. This is one of the best Maté's Vineyard wines in years, hugely impressive.

97
Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, September 2016

Lovely zesty phenolic nose with green apple skins, white peach and grapefruit citrus. Plenty of palate harmony but also a backing granitic, stoney minerality that keeps the wines opulence in check. The finish is linear and taut, vibrant and decidedly saline and maritime.

95
Greg Sherwood MW, gregsherwoodmw.com, October 2018

Big and brawny but not that expressive aromatically. All potential rather than reality. Edgy and grainy and intense.
Drink 2020-2034

18+
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, March 2017

This is an expression of many important things: old vines, family heritage, Mendoza clone and proven cellaring pedigree. It smells of white peaches with attractive hazelnutty oak (30% new), lemon peel and flinty elements. The palate delivers a powerful combination of complexity and refinement. This wine is succulently fine, unashamedly ripe and enticingly taut. The masterpiece. Drink now.

97
Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com, August 2017
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.