Chardonnay, Hunting Hill, Kumeu – 2007
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Introduction
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Hunting Hill is a vineyard that was first planted in 1982 and was a significant part of the original Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay blend. Occupying the slope overlooking Maté’s Vineyard, it has always contributed lovely ripe and rich fruit to the Estate Chardonnay. After being replanted in 2000, Hunting Hill shows beautifully ripe fruit with a distinctive minerality. This is Kumeu River’s second single-vineyard bottling of the Hunting Hill Chardonnay.
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Vineyard Profile
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Vineyard Region: Kumeu, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
- Appellation: Kumeu
- Vine Age: 7 years
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Vintage Report
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2007 proved a little cooler than 2006, with harvest dates behind 2006 one week on average, and sugar levels that were not quite as high. Consequently, the acid levels are marginally higher, and the wines have a more mineral feel to them. Citrus and stonefruit flavors are in abundance, and the wines have great length and texture. Once again, we had a very clean vintage without damage from botrytis.
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Vinification
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Whole-bunch pressed
- Fermentation: Indigenous yeast fermentation
- Malolactic: 100% malolactic fermentation
- Barrel Fermentation: 100% barrel fermentation
- Barrel Aging: 11 months in French oak
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Technical Information
- Cases Imported: 300
- Imported Case Pack: 12/750ml
- Alcohol: 13.5%
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Tasting Notes
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The Chardonnay from Hunting Hill shares some of the same characteristics as the Chardonnay from neighboring Maté’s Vineyard, namely its distinctive floral notes and restrained elegance. The 2007 vintage has a delightful aroma of pure fruit and flowers. This site has a pure character that, in its youth, displays a tight, crisp palate that needs bottle age to reveal the power and concentration that lies beneath the surface. This wine will improve with four to six years in bottle.
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Images
Reviews
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Chardonnay, Hunting Hill, Kumeu – 2007 – 3 stars – Decanter
“Pronounced rich oak; tight-knit. Firm palate, some oaky characters, good acidity, quite youthful, should develop.”
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Chardonnay, Hunting Hill, Kumeu – 2007 – 91 points, Editors’ Choice – Wine Enthusiast
“Smoky and fruity upfront, reminiscent of wood-grilled white peaches, but tinged with hints of toasted hazelnut and pineapple as well. This is full-bodied yet reined in by the intense, citrus-zest finish.”
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Chardonnay, Hunting Hill, Kumeu – 2007 – 93 points, Highly Recommended – Wine Spectator
“Bright and jazzy, showing lime-accented pineapple, with hints of tobacco and star fruit weaving through the long, elegant finish.”
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Chardonnay, Hunting Hill, Kumeu – 2007 – 94 points – The Wine Advocate
"the Hunting Hill beckons you to seek out its virtues. Hints of limestone, granite, a touch of lanolin and Brazil nut. The palate is beautifully balanced, so elegant and natural that it leaves you captivated."