Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu — 2021
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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, Auckland
- Cultivation: Sustainable
- Size: 2.49 hectares (6 acres)
- Vine Age: Planted 1990
- Clones: Mendoza
- Soil: Clay loam
- Elevation: 45 meters (147 feet)
- Exposure: North facing
- Training: Lyre
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Vintage Report
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The winter of 2020 was relatively mild and dry. Spring came early, but there were frosts to contend with, one in particular causing damage to many of our Kumeu vineyards. Flowering took place well ahead of normal, and it was obvious that the season would be very early this year. The growing season rainfall was only sporadic, maintaining the dry conditions, and the temperatures were moderately warm. These relatively cool to warm, and dry conditions allowed for slow grape maturation, and the development of excellent fruit aromas and flavors. Harvest was completed by 9 March, about 3 weeks ahead of usual. In Kumeu the frost damage had lowered yields by 30-40%, but the overall quality was exceptional.
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Vinification
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Hand harvested
Whole-bunch pressed
Indigenous-yeast fermentation
French oak barrels, 30% new oak
100% barrel fermentation
100% malolactic fermentation
11 months maturation in barrel
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
- Alcohol: 13.5%
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Tasting Notes
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The 2021 vintage for Maté’s Vineyard continues the amazing run of vintages we have had with this vineyard. The resulting wine shows the density, concentration and length that we expect from a terrific Maté’s Vineyard vintage. Although still somewhat shy on the nose, with bottle age the full palette of complex aromas and bouquet of this wonderful wine will be gradually and seductively revealed..
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Images
Reviews
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu — 2021 – Wine Spectator – 93 Points
"Rich, with toasted hazelnut and spice accents of nutmeg and cardamom to the baked apple, white peach and touches of lemon meringue. Despite the robust, intense flavors, this has a sense of restraint to the crisp thread of acidity and sleek frame."
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu — 2021 – Vinous – 97 Points
'“The 2021 Chardonnay Maté's Vineyard offers greater tension and sapidity. It is focused, concentrated and precise. There's sophisticated use of oak, which integrates seamlessly within the package. I got a cold the day after this was first opened, and almost a week later, when my senses returned, it remained impeccable, focused and compact.”
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu — 2021 – Wine Enthusiast – 95 Points
“Leads with a delicate perfume of lemon peel, mandarin, pear, seashell and white blossom, with a subtle toasty underbelly. There's a juiciness to the pithy citrus fruit on the mid-weight palate. Quietly supportive oak and a mineral streak add a feeling of purity and poise. Highly food friendly, with polish and restraint.”
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu — 2021 – James Suckling – 99 Points
“Slightly deeper gold-hued compared to the classic cuvée, it offers textbook notes of sauteed peach, honeyed citrus, flower oil, and hints of green almonds. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and beautifully balanced, it has good acidity and a great finish.”