Chardonnay, Village, Kumeu – 2020
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Vineyard Profile
- County Composition: Kumeu, Auckland & Hawkes Bay
- Size: 14 hectares
- Vine Age: Vines planted between 1989-2016
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Vinification
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100% hand harvested
100% whole-bunch pressed
Indigenous-yeast fermentation
100% malolactic fermentation
58% tank fermentation
42% barrel fermentation (5 year old + French oak barriques)
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
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Tasting Notes
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Produced from hand harvested grapes grown in Kumeu and Hawkes Bay, this wine was fermented 42% in old French oak barriques, and 58% in stainless steel tanks. The barrel fermentation provides some richness but very little oak influence. Combined with the tank fermentation, this allows the vibrant fruit to show through beautifully with lively lime and lemon aromas and a flinty, mineral edginess with hints of fig and white peach.
We thought the 2019 vintage was outstanding, but the 2020 vintage has turned out even better and has delivered a Village wine of great complexity. The weighty mid-palate shows peachy ripeness along with crisp acid minerality that gives the wine a refreshing cleansing quality. This wine is delightful as an aperitif, and even better to drink with fish and shellfish.
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Images
Reviews
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Kumeu River Chardonnay, Village, Kumeu — 2020 – James Suckling – 91 Points
As always, this has a selection of riper fruit, in the more tropical spectrum of melon and peach. It retains purity well. The palate holds such impressive concentration and hits the mark of freshness. A very strong release, representing real value.
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Kumeu River Chardonnay, Village, Kumeu – 2020 – Jancis Robinson – 16.5
Surprisingly rich nose. Fine, appetizing, crisp palate with just a little chewiness still evident at this point. There's a suggestion of sweet grapefruit juice. Really clean, fresh and long.