2024 Kumeu River Rays Road HB Chardonnay
Grape
Chardonnay
Its Origins
In 1938 Maté Brajkovich arrived in New Zealand with his parents, who settled in Kumeu and in 1944 bought a small vineyard which would later become Kumeu River wines. For a few decades Maté mostly made simple fortified and sparkling wines. It wasn't until 1982 however, when Matés son Michael took over, that the wines would really start to turn heads. Michael and his siblings began to transform the vineyard and vinification practices to more considered, traditional ways, with hand harvesting, improved drainage, judicious use of oak and only using the wild yeast present in the vineyard to bring a sharper definition of terroir into the wines. Matés vineyard is the original land bought in 1944, re-planted by Maté just before his death with low-yielding Mendoza clone Chardonnay in 1990.
What The Critics Say
95/100 James Suckling
"Tangy and flavorful on a focused and energized palate. Medium-bodied, bright and fresh, with sliced Asian pear flavors that are pristine and vivid. Drink now."
92-94/100 Parkers Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin
"The 2024 Rays Road Chardonnay leads with a spicy, almost exotic nose, while the palate strides in smooth, sleek movements. This is creamy and a little nutty, and there are wet limestone notes in the mouth, alongside yellow citrus and layers of dried herbs, cracked fennel seeds, ginger root and fruit flavors. A lovely wine, it's weighted on the back palate and long through the finish. I tasted this as a tank sample prior to filtration and bottling. The Ray's Road vineyard is on a limestone base and has been significantly worked and replanted since the Kumeu River purchase in 2021." Drink 2025 - 2039
17/20 Jancis Robinson MW
"Mid to deep greenish gold. Toasty and glamorous on the nose. They aim to make a Chablis style because it's all limestone so very lively and tense. I'd say the acidity isn't as pronounced as a typical Chablis. Real grip on the palate. Very long with lots of tension. Hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed before 100% spontaneous barrel ferment in French oak. (JR)." Drink 2025 - 2034
| Variety | Chardonnay |
|---|---|
| Region | Hawkes Bay |
| Closure | Cap |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Maturity | 2025 - 2039 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
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