Chardonnay, Estate, Kumeu – 2009
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Vineyard Profile
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Kumeu River carefully selected the ripest parcels of Chardonnay from six vineyard sites to go into the 2009 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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Vinification
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Whole-bunch pressed
- Fermentation: Indigenous yeast
- Malolactic: 100%
- Barrel Fermentation: 100%
- Barrel Aging: Aged 11 months on lees in 20% new, 80% 1-5-year-old 225-liter/60-gallon French oak
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
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Tasting Notes
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The 2009 vintage was a little cooler than the previous two vintages, and the wines are a little more restrained and delicate. The Estate Chardonnay was selected from the ripest parcels of Chardonnay we harvested in 2009. The wine is more restrained on the nose than the 2008, with citrus rather than peach notes, but the texture, length of flavor and balance of the 2009 is close to perfect. Very reminiscent of the beautiful 2004 Estate Chardonnay, this wine is undoubtedly delicious to drink now, but experience with vintages such as this also indicates that the wine will benefit from bottle age of four to seven years.
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Images
Reviews
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Chardonnay, Estate, Kumeu – 2009 – 90 points – Wine & Spirits
"From the Brajkovich family estate outside of Auckland, this wine has the sweet perfume of fresh cream from grass-fed cows. It's soft, with a peppery edge and the savor of corn silk. Then it ends with enough tension to match a salmon soufflé."
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Chardonnay, Estate, Kumeu – 2009 – 90 points – jamessuckling.com
“A gorgeous wine with apple pie, cream, and mineral undertones. Some melon. Full and balanced with attractive oak character such as cream. Made from grapes from six different vineyards.”
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Chardonnay, Estate, Kumeu – 2009 – 91 points – Wine Spectator
“Rich and deep…toasted hazelnut, fig and citrus flavors that have a smooth texture and vibrant acidity. The aromatics are the star here, with honeysuckle, lemon zest and green apple notes that leap out of the glass and push through on the finish.”