Chardonnay, Hunting Hill, Kumeu – 2016
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Vineyard Profile
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Hunting Hill is a vineyard that was first planted in 1982 and became a significant part of the original Kumeu River Chardonnay blend. Occupying the slope overlooking Mate’s Vineyard, it has always contributed lovely ripe and rich fruit to the Estate Chardonnay. Hunting Hill was replanted in 2000 and is now even better than before, giving beautifully ripe fruit with a distinctive mealy minerality.
- Location: Hunting Hill, Kumeu, Auckland
- Cultivation: Sustainable
- Size: 3.37 hectares (8 acres)
- Vine Age: Planted 2000
- Clones: 15
- Soil: Clay loam
- Elevation: 100 meters (328 feet)
- Exposure: North facing but sloping slightly to Southwest
- Training: Lyre
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Vintage Report
- Harvest Date(s): March 14–15, 2016
- Yields: 3 tons/acre
- Brix: 23°
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Vinification
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Hand harvested
Whole-bunch pressed
Indigenous-yeast fermentation
100% barrel fermentation
100% malolactic fermentation
11 months maturation in barrel
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
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Tasting Notes
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This wine has fragrant lemon/lime blossom aromas on the nose that typify the lovely perfume we always get from Hunting Hill. The class of this vineyard shows through in 2016 where conditions were not always perfect. The fruit from Hunting Hill was clean with beautiful flavours that has come through in the finished wine with a supple texture an lingering finish. As with previous vintages of Hunting Hill we expect this to drink well for 6 – 8 years.
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Images
Reviews
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Kumeu River Chardonnay, Hunting Hill, Kumeu – 2016 – Vinous – 90 Points
The 2016 Hunting Hill Chardonnay feels a little muted on the nose at the moment, coming across very stony with scents of a cool alpine stream. The lightly spiced palate is well balanced with a rounded entry, good depth and perhaps a little botrytis that just takes the edge off of the finish. Not bad, although I prefer the 2015 by comparison. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.
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Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay – 2016 – Wine Enthusiast – 94 Points – Top 100 Wines of 2018 (#46)
This single-vineyard wine hums on the nose but sings on the palate. Aromas of roasted, salted nuts, delicate orange and lemon peel seem to float in midair. On the palate, the toasty oak may be in plain view, but it's beautifully balanced by river stone minerality, crystalline acidity and a satiny mouthfeel that never seems to end...
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Kumeu River Chardonnay, Hunting Hill – 2016 – James Suckling – 94 Points
Ample smoke on the nose. Yet, behind that there's plenty of sliced pears and some white peaches. Very lively and energetic, the long, crisp finish seriously minerally. Delicious now, but also has considerable aging potential. Screw cap.
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Kumea River Hunting Hill Chardonnay – 2016 – Wine Spectator – 92 Points
Vibrant, this offers a precise and intense laser beam of Meyer lemon, orange marmalade and tangerine flavors that are expressive and kept crisp by juicy acidity. Notes of green tea linger on the finish, with hints of citrus zest. Drink now.