Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2015
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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.
- 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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Vinification
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Whole-bunch pressed
Indigenous-yeast fermentation
100% barrel fermented
100% malolactic fermentation
Aged 11 months in barrel
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
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Tasting Notes
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The Mate’s Vineyard is usually the most reserved and unyielding when young and this is even more so with the 2015 vintage. The nose is very closed, just giving hints of the golden queen peach and mineral notes that we expect from Mate’s Vineyard. On the palate however, the flavour is very concentrated and distinctly richer than the other 2015 wines, but maintaining a perfect balance and freshness that sets this wine apart and makes it wonderful. This is a wine of immense concentration that will be very long lived.
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Images
Reviews
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Kumeu River Chardonnay, Mate’s Vineyard – 2015 – James Suckling – 98 Points
Really seductive nose of candied lemons, honeysuckle and vanilla, then stunning concentration and elegance on the medium to full palate, the finish very ripe and polished. Delicious now, but with a great future ahead of it. Screw cap.
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2015 – 97 points – James Suckling
"This is an expression of many important things: old vines, family heritage, Mendoza clone and proven cellaring pedigree. It smells of white peaches with attractive hazelnutty oak (30% new), lemon peel and flinty elements. The palate delivers a powerful combination of complexity and refinement. This wine is succulently fine, unashamedly ripe and enticingly taut. The masterpiece. Drink now."
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2015 – 18 points – Jancis Robinson
"Lively and tight, creamy. Really fine. Lots of grip."
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2015 – 94 points – Wine Enthusiast
“Yields were down in 2015, but intensity is up, giving this medium-bodied, silky wine the potential to drink well through at least 2025. Hickory smoke outlines white peach before ending in a long flurry of lime zest.”