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Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu River 2017

RegionNew Zealand
Subregion New Zealand > Auckland
ColourWhite
TypeStill
Grape VarietyChardonnay

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Label

Tasting Notes

The 2017 Hunting Hill Chardonnay has a very well-defined bouquet of lemon curd, granite, yellow flowers and just a hint of vanilla pod that derives from the François Frères barrels. The precise, detailed palate is well defined with a crisp line of acidity and a harmonious, succinct finish of lemon curd, canned apricot and citrus fruit, all infused with light ginger and minerals. This is a complex, intellectual Chardonnay with a long, bright future ahead. A fabulous Hunting Hill. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.

94
Neal Martin, vinous.com, February 2019

The nose has the fragrance of orange blossom the palate citrus and mineral freshness light lean directional. Stoned fruit and lime brighten the mid palate greengage gives a little more depth with the fresh fruits the lemon and crisp apple refreshing the finish. 2020-28

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

The coastal breezes of the Hunting Hill vineyard always give a fresher, tauter balance to the wines that we associate with Puligny Montrachet, despite the site being just 3km from the much riper Coddington. The 2017 is no exception, with a flinty, floral nose of lime blossom and lemon zest giving great precision and purity to the aromas. The palate is taut and driven by vibrant acidity. At this stage, the fruit is tightly wound and dense, all citrus blossom, with struck match and light toastiness adding a layer of complexity, and a light viscosity bringing deceptively high concentration with it. This compact wine is hugely powerful despite its bracingly fresh nature. The finish is supremely long and driven, highlighting the potential to improve with age. Tasted with a decade of other Hunting Hills, this clearly has the potential to become a great wine in the next 5-7 years as it matures in bottle.

95+
Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, October 2018

Apple puree and pineapple lead boldly from the front with backing notes of green melon and apple pastille nuances. Taut and focused, very precise acid frame, electric with out being rasping and a most harmonious, delicious, elegant, crystalline finish. Tight in youth but should blossom into another show stopper.

95
Greg Sherwood MW, gregsherwoodmw.com, October 2018

Cool and introvert nose. Very bracing and textured. But with an undertow of extreme concentration.
Drink 2020-2032

17.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, October 2018

Another fine effort from this terrific vineyard, the 2017 Hunting Hill Chardonnay delivers an array of mellow peach and melon notes, accented by delicate hints of roasted cashews. Medium to full-bodied, it's round, rich, creamy and long, almost decadent in style. Drink it over the next 6-7 years for its plush, languid fruit. Drink Date: 2019 - 2026.

94
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (241), March 2019

This has a really assertive and energetic feel. Plenty of aromas and flavors of ripe white and yellow peaches, building on the palate and leading to a savory, spiced-almond finish. Drink now. Screw cap.

94
Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com, October 2018

Very floral and quite toasty in the nose, this is already very attractive, in spite of its youth. Sleek yet polished with stunning concentration and vibrant acidity driving the very long, tight finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

95
Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com, October 2018
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.