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Chardonnay Estate, Kumeu River 2020

RegionNew Zealand
Subregion New Zealand > Auckland
ColourWhite
TypeStill
Grape VarietyChardonnay

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Kumeu River

Label

Tasting Notes

Kumeu River's Estate Chardonnay must be one of the best value white wines in the world. In a great vintage like 2020 (and 2019) - the high quality of fruit elevates this bottling even closer to the single vineyard wines. Drawn from six vineyard sites around the Kumeu region, it is hand harvested and whole-bunch pressed ahead of spontaneous fermentation and maturation in barrel, of which 20% are new. Michael believes this to be as good as his brilliant 2019 "but with the volume turned up a little bit". Production was down about 25%. Bright, pale lemon in colour. The nose is quintessential Kumeu - bright lemon fruit with a little ripe peach and the classic, seductive reduction of struck flint, layered with a hint of spice from the oak. The palate is thick, richly structured with taut acidity braced against fleshy peaches and pears. There is a crystalline, saline impression here, adding a moreish, savoury complexity. Long and expansive to the finish, this is another excellent Estate Chardonnay.

94
Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, May 2021

The 2020 Estate Chardonnay is taut and salty, with a very fine spool of acid, fruit and phenolics that weave over the palate. A gorgeous wine, it's quiet and composed. Really great—what a joy. 13.5% alcohol sealed under screw cap.

93
Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate, December 2023

Spontaneous fermentation of hand-picked grapes, whole-bunch pressed. Lightly but not excessively reductive on the nose. Already quite expansive on the nose with beautiful impact on the palate: citrus, blossom and really neat acidity without much astringency. Elegant and racy – almost lightweight on the mid palate and then it is impressively persistent. A thorough delight already. VGV 13.5% Drink 2021 – 2025

17
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, June 2021

Oak – 100% barrel fermentation in 20% new French oak and 100% malolactic fermentation with 11 months maturation in barrel.

The level of oaking in these wines is always very controlled but it sticks out more in the Estate creation than in all of the other wines and this means that it definitely needs more time. Bold, assertive and punchy, this is a grand-shaped wine for the money and the thought of opening a few magnums in five or six years’ time is indeed rather attractive. For now, though, keep your hands off this wine! 17.5/20

17.5
Matthew Jukes, MatthewJukes.com, August 2021

Intense and complex chardonnay with lemons and peaches, as well as pastry and fresh cream. The palate is stacked with ripe-peach flavor and fresher, citrus tones and has complex, layered texture. Classy wine. Drink now. Screw cap.

95
Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com, August 2021
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.