Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2007
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Introduction
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In 1990, Maté Brajkovich reworked the land at Kumeu River and planted a new vineyard of Chardonnay on the site of the family’s original vineyard, purchased in 1944. The first harvest from these new vines was in March 1993, the year following Maté’s death. The six-acre vineyard was named Maté’s Vineyard in his honor, and the resulting single-vineyard wine was first released in November 1994 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Brajkovich family’s arrival in Kumeu. This is Kumeu River’s (and arguably, New Zealand’s) finest Chardonnay, limited in production, Burgundian in style, elegant and long-lived.
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Vineyard Profile
- Appellation: Kumeu
- Location: Kumeu, Auckland, North Island
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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, Kumeu River had a very clean vintage without damage from botrytis. The grapes were hand harvested.
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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: 12 months in French oak
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
- Production Case Pack: 12/750ml
- Cases Imported: 300
- Imported Case Pack: 12/750ml
- Alcohol: 13.5%
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Tasting Notes
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The vines in Maté’s Vineyard are maturing nicely at 18 years, and this is Kumeu River’s only vineyard still planted with the Mendoza clone. The vine age and the distinctiveness of the clone help give Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay its unique character. This vineyard has always displayed a lifted fruit aroma with distinct minerality, and the 2007 is arguably the finest expression Kumeu River has seen from this site. Take a look at the photo of the grapes from the 2007 harvest, and you see fruit close to perfection. This is certainly extended through to the finished wine, which at this stage is quite closed but undeniably complex and concentrated. It will evolve beautifully over the next six to eight years.
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Images
Reviews
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2007 – 4 stars; Wines of the Year – Decanter
“Firm, tight-knit nose; the oak is quite obvious now. Very firm and elegant. Young but should develop. Brisk acidity.”
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2007 – 91 points – Wine Enthusiast
“One of New Zealand’s icon Chardonnays, the 2007 version of Maté’s is a smoky, bacon-scented offering, with plenty of leesy richness to go with bold pineapple and melon fruit. It’s full bodied, ending on notes of smoke and roasted coffee.”
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2007 – 94 points – The Tasting Panel
“Juicy and minerally with intensity and high-toned acidity; citrus, toast and some weight; pure and racy, long and complex.”
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2007 – 93 points – Wine Spectator
“Bright and sleek, with zippy lime and grapefruit coursing through the pear and pineapple fruit, lingering on the expressive finish with finesse.”