Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2009
-
Vineyard Profile
-
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 6-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.
- 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).
-
-
Vinification
-
Whole-bunch pressed
- Fermentation: Indigenous yeast
- Malolactic: 100%
- Barrel Fermentation: 100%
- Barrel Aging: 12 months in French oak
-
-
Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
- Production (in cases): 1,000 cases
- Production Case Pack: 12/750ml
- Alcohol: 13.5%
-
Tasting Notes
-
It has been 21 years since Kumeu River planted the original vineyard site now known as Mate’s Vineyard with the low-yielding Mendoza Chardonnay clone. The vine age and distinctive characteristics of this clone help give Mate’s Vineyard — the only remaining vineyard the winery has planted to the Mendoza clone — its unique character. Maté’s Vineyard always displays a lifted fruit aroma reminiscent of ripe pears, but with a mineral edge, and the palate is always long and concentrated. The 2009 vintage shows the complexity and concentration expected from this vineyard, with great tautness and length on the palate. The wine will evolve beautifully over the next six to eight years and beyond.
-
Images
Reviews
-
Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2009 – 93 points – jamessuckling.com
“This is a little phenolic with lemon rind and hints of cream and apple. Some would call it tannic. Full and fruity nougat with lovely savory and ripe fruit character. Layered and beautiful. Corton-Charlemagne. Shows a salty undertone.”
-
Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2009 – 92 points – Wine Spectator
“Aromatic, soft and supple, with honey, butterscotch and toasted brioche notes that are as intense as they appear effortless. This delivers plenty of lemon and pear flavors, with a long finish.”