| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | New Zealand > Auckland |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
Lemons, white apricots, white grapefruit, slate and sea shells. Elegant and mineral, with a medium body and creamy, textured and layered palate. Classy and fresh. Drink now or hold. Screw cap.
Flowering took place well ahead of normal. Yields were about 35% down overall because of spring frosts. The maximum temperature all summer was 29.2 degrees on the 9th of December which meant that 2021 was a long, cool, dry and sunny vintage which allowed for slow grape maturation, and the development of excellent fruit aromas and flavours. Harvest was completed on March 9th - about 3 weeks ahead of usual. Production levels are down but this is another excellent year at Kumeu River. All the fruit for the Estate is from owned and long-term managed vineyards. Maturation was all in oak barrels with 20% new oak. Paul Brajkovich told us that he prefers this even to the great 2020 vintage. 6000 cases produced. Pale lemon colour in the glass. Lime and struck flint on the nose, quintessentially Kumeu in style. There is real depth here, with both floral tones and a deeper, riper peach note. The palate is impressively dense and rich, with a glossy stone fruit core cut by taut acidity. Wood smoke pairs against intense citrus in this finely balanced, youthful and brilliant Estate reminiscent of the superb 2019. Very long and very promising. Another resounding success.
20% new barrels. From six different plots round Kumeu of which they own four and run them all. Same vinification and élevage as Rays Road. 5,000 cases
Smoky, tense and lively on the nose. Very fine and open. Slight smokiness on the palate also. Great balance. (2006 and 2007 are still looking good in 2022 apparently.) A fair copy of a fine Chassagne! GV 2022 - 2032
