Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2012
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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 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).
- Cultivation: Sustainable
- Size: 3.2 hectares (7.9 acres)
- Vine Age: Planted 1990
- Clones: Mendoza
- Soil: Clay loam
- Elevation: Approximately 100 meters (328 feet)
- Exposure: North
- Training: Lyre
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Vintage Report
- Harvest Date(s): March 27-29
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Vinification
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Whole-bunch pressed
- Fermentation: Wild yeast in French barriques (30% new)
- Malolactic: 100%
- Barrel Aging: 11 months in French barriques (30% new, remainder up to 4 years)
- Bottle Aging: 12 months prior to release
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
- Production (in cases): 1,100 cases
- Production Case Pack: 12/750ml
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- TA: 5.5g/L
- p H: 3.32
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Tasting Notes
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This is the 20th vintage of the Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay produced from the low-yielding Mendoza clone. The clone’s vine age and distinctive characteristics contribute to the wine’s uniqueness. This vineyard has always displayed a lifted fruit aroma reminiscent of ripe pears, but with a mineral edge. The palate is always long and concentrated. The 2012 vintage is a wine that shows the complexity and concentration expected from this vineyard with great tautness and length on the palate.
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Images
Reviews
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Kumeu River Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay – 2012 – James Suckling – 94 Points
This beautiful, creamy chardonnay has real elegance, in spite of the intense, lemony freshness at the finish and is screaming for you to order a great piece of fish in a rich sauce. Drink or hold.
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2012
This wine displays a lifted fruit aroma reminiscent of ripe pears, but with a mineral edge. The palate is long and concentrated. The wine shows the complexity and concentration expected from this vineyard with great tautness and length on the palate.
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2012 – 91 points – Wine Enthusiast
“Citrus and baking spices mark the nose of this New Zealand classic. It’s medium in body yet creamy in texture, with a long, mouthwatering finish that echoes with hints of pineapple, vanilla and cinnamon.”