Chardonnay, Hunting Hill, Kumeu — 2022
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Vineyard Profile
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Hunting Hill is a vineyard that was first planted in 1982 and became a significant part of the original Kumeu River Chardonnay blend. Occupying the slope overlooking Mate’s Vineyard, it has always contributed lovely ripe and rich fruit to the Estate Chardonnay. Hunting Hill was replanted in 2000 and is now even better than before, giving beautifully ripe fruit with a distinctive mealy minerality.
- Location: Hunting Hill, Kumeu, Auckland
- Cultivation: Sustainable; Hand harvested
- Size: 3.37 hectares (8 acres)
- Vine Age: Planted 2001
- Clones: 15
- Soil: Clay loam
- Elevation: 100 meters (328 feet)
- Exposure: North facing but sloping slightly to Southwest
- Training: Lyre
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Vintage Report
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The 2022 vintage was excellent due to favorable weather conditions. The winter of 2021 was mild and wet, and the spring growth was lush and rapid. Flowering was ahead of usual, indicating another early harvest. Dry weather in January and February provided ideal conditions for the development of aroma and flavor. The Chardonnay wines, particularly the Single Vineyards, are shining examples of the Kumeu style, highlighting individual personalities.
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Vinification
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Pressing: Whole-bunch pressed
- Fermentation: Indigenous-yeast fermentation
- Malolactic: 100% malolactic fermentation
- Barrel Fermentation: 100% barrel fermentation
- Barrel Aging: French oak barrels, 25% new oak; 11 months maturation in barrel
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
- Alcohol: 13.5%
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Tasting Notes
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The conditions during harvest were suburb and 2022 produced a classic Hunting Hill. Very distinctive terroir driven typicity, with piercing lemon/lime fruit lift and floral on the nose, richness and volume in the mouth followed by lingering acidity and minerality on the finish. This is an absolute classic example of how great the Chardonnay grape can be: A beautifully powerful, yet elegant and complex wine with long term aging ability.
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Images
Reviews
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Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu — 2022 – Wine Enthusiast – 95 Points
“Lifted aromas of lemon, lime blossom, white peach and nougat lend brightness and charm to this creamy bottling from one of New Zealand’s Chardonnay leaders. There’s lovely acidity on the palate that brightens and freshens amid the toasty oak and lactic characters, driving to a citrusy finish.”
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Chardonnay, Hunting Hill, Kumeu — 2022 – James Suckling – 95 Points
"Cooked apple and lemon curd with hints of pie crust and sweet biscuit. Some kiwi undertones. Medium-bodied with creamy texture and a flavorful finish."
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Chardonnay, Hunting Hill, Kumeu — 2022 – Vinous – 96 Points
"The 2022 Chardonnay Hunting Hill is an impressive, focused style. It has a sense of energy, being almost buoyant with the movement of a skimming stone across your palate. There's a powerful core of fruit here and it has plenty of substance within its no-more-than medium-bodied core before kerpow! It fires home with an almost spicy kick. Clever oak use, reminiscent of toasted nuts, meets restrained flavors of lemon and lime bitter and nectarine fruit. A wine that's still in its cocoon so give it time. It may even have the edge of Maté's... Big call."
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Chardonnay, Hunting Hill, Kumeu — 2022 – Wine Advocate – 95+ Points
“Mouthfilling and obvious in its outlay of flavor in the mouth—yellow peach, apricot, Golden Delicious apple, beeswax/lanolin and ripe lime flesh. The flutter of acidity that feathers the fruit is compelling and alluring in its power and juiciness. An exciting wine.”