The eye-opening results of last months vertical tasting of all vintages of the Kumeu River Chardonnays dating back to 2006 continues this week with a report from James Suckling where he calls the event “a remarkable demonstration of the consistent high quality and striking cool-climate style of this producer. That Kumeu River produces some of the world’s best chardonnays won’t come as a surprise to their loyal followers around the world…”

Suckling rates a total of 48 wines from this event, all of which rate above 90 points, many above 95 points and some even reaching 97 and 98 points. Ratings for the most recent vintages of the Estate Chardonnay, Coddington, Hunting Hill and Mates’s Vineyard are available now on our Kumeu River page. Below are a few key quotes from Sucklings report.

“…as the Farr Vintners tasting revealed, other more important things make the Kumeu River chardonnays truly exceptional, not least the way every vintage since 2006 produced only wines worthy of 90 points or more. The wines also mature beautifully, retaining their youthful freshness for at least five years, a slow aging curve that’s assisted by the screw cap closure used for all of these wines. “

“Not one of the 48 Kumeu River chardonnays in the tasting was too mature; in the fact, all four 2006 wines were delicious! As Kumeu River Marketing Director Paul Brajkovich explained, “With age, they flesh out and you get a plush character.” That’s what high-end chardonnay should do. “

“Mate’s Vineyard gives the most concentrated and powerful wines, while Hunting Hill, which lies higher up on the same slope, produces more steely and mineral expressions with the best aging potential; Coddington is more generous and fleshy.”

Read the full report at jamessuckling.com (paywall)