Chardonnay, Village, Kumeu – 2010
-
Vineyard Profile
-
Kumeu River’s Village Chardonnay is made from a collection of Kumeu River’s estate and Brajkovich family-managed vineyards similar to the village wines of Burgundy.
- 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).
-
-
Vintage Report
-
A spring frost caused a significant loss of fruit, followed by an equally difficult flowering period leading to fewer berries per bunch. As a result, yields were only about 50 percent of normal. Very low rainfall throughout the growing season and lovely, warm ripening conditions towards the end led to a small but beautiful crop of Chardonnay.
-
-
Vinification
-
Whole-bunch pressed
- Fermentation: Indigenous yeast
- Malolactic: 100%
- Barrel Fermentation: A large proportion of the Kumeu River Village Chardonnay is usually fermented in stainless-steel tanks, however, in 2010 the crop was very small due to a severe spring frost which reduced the yield by 50 percent, so the winery fermented all of the wine in old French oak barrels.
-
-
Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
- Alcohol: 13.5%
-
Tasting Notes
-
The 2010 Village Chardonnay has elegant citrus and peach fruit aromas, along with the touch of hazelnut that is typical of quality Chardonnay. The palate also shows nice ripe peach flavors with fine, flinty acidity that gives the wine a refreshing, long finish. This wine is perfect to drink with fish and shellfish.
-
Images
Reviews
-
Chardonnay, Village, Kumeu – 2010 – 90 points – jamessuckling.com
“A complete, complex chardonnay that will surprise many for the level of quality that is seen at this price. This shows a smooth, savory, stone fruit-flavored style, with a good, pithy texture and drive.”
-
Chardonnay, Village, Kumeu – 2010 – 89 points – Wine Enthusiast
"Probably the best vintage of this wine yet, this is a medium-bodied Chardonnay, showing restrained oak and understated white peach. Elegant and subtle, it finishes on a gentle citrus note."