Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2011
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Vineyard Profile
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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 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).
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Vintage Report
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2011 was a challenging vintage with cooler-than-usual conditions leading up to harvest. The grapes struggled to attain high sugar levels, but a very moderate cropping level still allowed the development of ripe-fruit aroma and flavor intensity. Following near-perfect conditions in 2010, Kumeu River had to work harder in 2011 in the vineyards due to pockets of botrytis. This vintage really showed the value of hand-harvesting and strict field triage because the fruit arriving at the winery was in perfect condition.
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Vinification
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Whole-bunch pressed
- Fermentation: Indigenous yeast
- Malolactic: 100%
- Barrel Fermentation: 100%
- Barrel Aging: Aged 11 months in 30% new, 70% 1-5-year- old 225-liter/60-gallon French oak
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
- Production (in cases): 1,000 cases
- Production Case Pack: 12/750ml
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Tasting Notes
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This is the 19th vintage of the Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay produced from the low-yielding Mendoza clone. The vine age and distinctive characteristics of this clone help give Maté’s Vineyard — the only remaining vineyard the winery has planted to the Mendoza clone — its unique character. This wine has always displayed a lifted fruit aroma reminiscent of ripe pears, but with a mineral edge. The palate is always long and concentrated. The 2011 vintage Chardonnay displays the complexity and concentration expected from this vineyard, with great tautness and length on the palate. It will evolve beautifully over the next six to eight years and beyond.
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Images
Reviews
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2011 – 93 points, Cellar Selection – Wine Enthusiast
“Toasted nuts garnish pineapple and tangerine fruit, while the finish is long, tight and richly textured. This should be longlived by New Zealand Chardonnay standards…”
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2011 – The best Chardonnays in the world (outside of Burgundy) – Decanter
“Oaky nose with apple compote. There is a really impressive weight of fruit on the mid-palate here, with some yellow plums, and just enough acidity to balance and good length.”
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2011 – 97 Points, Top 100 Wines of 2014 – jamessuckling.com
“…Montrachet-like richness and deep complexity. The weight is staggering but the poise and balance makes it all seem effortless. The palate has terrific concentration and…crescendos with impressive energy and then fades with sizzling acidity…”
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2011 – 97 points – jamessuckling.com
“…Montrachet-like richness and deep complexity. The weight is staggering but the poise and balance makes it all seem effortless. The palate has terrific concentration and…crescendos with impressive energy and then fades with sizzling acidity…”