Chardonnay, Estate, Kumeu – 2016
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Vineyard Profile
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Kumeu River Chardonnay is drawn from six different vineyard sites in the Kumeu Region. We are particularly careful in selecting only the very best grapes from these vineyards for our Kumeu River Estate label.
- Location: Kumeu, Auckland
- Cultivation: Sustainable
- Size: 10 hectares (24.7 acres)
- Vine Age: Varies between 7–20 years
- Clones: 15, 6, 1066, 548, 121, 134
- Soil: Clay loam
- Elevation: 45 meters (147 feet)
- Exposure: North facing
- Training: Lyre and VSP
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Vintage Report
- Harvest Date(s): March 15–30, 2016
- Yields: 4.5 tons/acre
- Brix: 22°
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Vinification
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Whole-bunch pressed
Indigenous-yeast fermentation
100% barrel fermentation
100% malolactic fermentation
11 months maturation in barrel
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
- Alcohol: 14%
- TA: 5.6g/L
- p H: 3.21
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Tasting Notes
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Hand harvesting in a vintage like 2016 is crucial in maintaining the standard of the Estate Chardonnay that we have set for this wine. The nose is immediately fragrant and peachy with a touch of mealiness. The texture supple and with a beautiful bracing acidity on the finish. The wine is delicious now and will provide beautiful drinking over the next 6 years.
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Images
Reviews
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Kumeu River Chardonnay, Estate, Kumeu – 2016 – The Wine Advocate – 91 Points
Still a Kiwi classic, Kumeu River's 2016 Estate Chardonnay features toasted grain aromas, ripe peach and nectarine flavors and a long, citrus-inflected finish. It's medium-bodied, with a plump, silky texture and up to a decade of aging potential.
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Kumeu River Chardonnay, Estate, Kumeu – 2016 – Vinous – 90 Points
The 2016 Estate Chardonnay has a touch more fatness on the nose than the 2017, though not quite the same degree of delineation. There is a subtle waxy/resin like note here, along with a hint of orange blossom and orange pith. The palate is well balanced with the same twist of sour lemon that marks the follow-up vintage, offering good weight in the mouth and a lovely peppery flourish on the persistent finish. Very fine, although I suspect the 2017 will have the edge in the long term. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.
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Kumeu River Chardonnay, Estate, Kumeu – 2016 – Wine Enthusiast – 90 Points
Kumeu's estate Chard is a blend of six different sites. Despite a few years in bottle, it's still relatively closed, showing a restrained toasty character along with red apple, pineapple and orange rind. The palate is more generous in a satiny texture and seamless backbone of acidity, accompanied by tangy, citrusy flavors and woody undertones. Drink now–2022.
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Kumeu River Chardonnay, Estate, Kumeu – 2016 – Wine Spectator – 91 Points
Fragrant, juicy and floral up front, with pretty notes of peppery white flowers that mingle with lime, white grapefruit and apple flavors, set on a crisp, linear body. Shows plenty of tension from the vibrant acidity and lingering minerality. Drink now. 500 cases imported.