Chardonnay, Estate, Kumeu – 2007
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Vineyard Profile
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Kumeu River carefully selected only the very best grapes from six sites with vines ranging in age from 10 to 15 years for the 2007 Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay.
- Location: Kumeu is a sub-region of the Auckland wine district. Despite being situated well north of New Zealand’s other viticultural regions, Kumeu’s climate is kept cool due to its close proximity to the Tasman Sea, just 20 kilometers (nearly 12.5 miles) to the west, and the Pacific Ocean 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) to the east. These two large bodies of water generate clouds, keeping peak summer temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).
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Vintage Report
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2007 proved a little cooler than 2006, with harvest dates one week behind on average. Because sugar levels were not as high, acid levels were slightly higher, and the wines have a more mineral feel to them. Once again, it was a very clean vintage without damage from botrytis.
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Vinification
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Whole-bunch pressed
- Fermentation: Indigenous yeast
- Malolactic: 100%
- Barrel Fermentation: 100%
- Barrel Aging: 11 months
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
- Production (in cases): 7,000 cases
- Production Case Pack: 12/750ml
- Cases Imported: 2,000
- Alcohol: 13.5%
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Tasting Notes
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The 2007 Estate Chardonnay is ripe, rich and beautifully concentrated. The peach and hazelnut aromas, and rich, silky texture are distinct characteristics that the winery expects to see from this wine. The 2007 vintage will benefit greatly from a period of two to four years in bottle.
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Images
Reviews
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Chardonnay, Estate, Kumeu – 2007 – 3 stars – Decanter
“Bright, nervy, intense; ripe, tropical, citrus and melon. Dry powerful, aromatic fruit balanced with spicy oak.”
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Chardonnay, Estate, Kumeu – 2007 – 90 points – Wine Enthusiast
"Kumeu River’s Estate bottling remains among the finest in New Zealand, beautifully balancing oak and fruit in an intricate ballet of toast, vanilla, melon and pineapple. It’s full bodied and round in the mouth."
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Chardonnay, Estate, Kumeu – 2007 – 92 points, #41, Wine Spectator 2009 Top 100 – Wine Spectator
"New Zealand's iconic producer of Chardonnay grows its wines near Auckland, rather than in the more celebrated, cooler regions to the south, yet the wines have tremendous vibrancy...delivers mouthwatering acidity and bright flavors."
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Chardonnay, Estate, Kumeu – 2007 – 92 points, #41, Wine Spectator 2009 Top 100 – Wine Spectator
“Bright, tangy and elegant, this vibrant wine has grapefruit and pineapple flavors at the fore, picking up apple and spice as the finish lingers effortlessly.”