Tasted Sat 12 March 2011
I’ve been a fan of the Chardonnay from Kumeu River for a number of years now. Highly awarded and crafted under the experienced hand of Michael Brajkovich MW, Kumeu River is regarded as one of New Zealand’s best Chardonnay producers.
Located in the Auckland region, their wines are renowned around the globe for their focus on quality, varietal expression and above all, value for money.
A third of the free run juice from the hand picked grapes undergoes fermentation in French oak and the remainder is fermented in stainless steel. The wine is then reassembled and goes through malolactic fermentation, resulting in a Chardonnay that is complex and lengthy with a medium body weight and supple texture. On the nose: aromas of melon and peach with overtones of hazelnut.
Although the Village Chardonnay is Kumeu’s entry-level wine, it’s certainly not entry-level quality. Considering its price point, the complexity of this wine has blown me away every time and the 2008 is no exception. (Liz)
For the seventh year in a row, their estate Chardonnay reached #41 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines 2010
