Tasting Notes
"Hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed before 100% spontaneous barrel ferment in French oak with 100% malo (20% new oak). 11 months' ageing in barrel. Always a blend of the same six Kumeu vineyards (of which they own three) and in 2024 the crop was reduced but fruit was much more concentrated. No new oak in 2023 so they had lots of (François Frères) barrels to use. It's a struggle to keep vines in the ground in Kumeu. They think they're OK for the next 20 years so long as the owners, mainly Chinese, will agree to lease the land. Average age of vines would be more than 20 years. High-toned nose then rich lemon-barley-water flavours. And real grip on the end. No hurry to drink this. Lots of concentration and masses of potential. Still youthful! Lots to chew on. Worth waiting until at least 2026 before drinking but it's already approachable." 17/20, Jancis Robinson
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'If you have never tried these wines, then it is time you see for yourself what New Zealand is capable.' Neal Martin, Vinous. Kumeu River is considered unanimously to be New Zealand's top Chardonnay producer, and having sold their wines on and off for over 15 years, we are over the moon to have secured a parcel of their outstanding 2020s. Established in the 1950s just 20kms north of Auckland, for several decades now the Brajkovich family have fashioned Burgundy-inspired wines that rival their finest old world counterparts - silky, complex, tantalising wines that have gained the favour of just about every wine journalist and MW worth their salt.