Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2011
This is the 19th vintage of the Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay produced from the low-yielding Mendoza clone. The vine age and distinctive characteristics of this clone help give Maté’s Vineyard — the only remaining vineyard the winery has planted to the Mendoza clone — its unique character. This wine has always displayed a lifted fruit aroma reminiscent of ripe pears, but with a mineral edge. The palate is always long and concentrated. The 2011 vintage Chardonnay displays the complexity and concentration expected from this vineyard, with great tautness and length on the palate. It will evolve beautifully over the next six to eight years and beyond.