EN PRIMEUR
This product is currently en primeur status. Effectively, it's a pre-order with payment
required now and stock will be delivered up to 18 months later.
For more detailed arrival times please contact the store.
Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2022
DOZEN: $572.40 or $47.70 each
Aromas and flavors of sliced apples, lemon curd and hints of stone. Oyster shell. Lime undertones. It’s medium-bodied. Firm and fine phenolics. Tension and focus. Impressive (95) JAMES SUCKLING
Such lovely stylish Chardonnay from this producer. White peach, almond meal, subtle floral and fennel/mint perfume, light cinnamon spice. It’s fluid and mellifluous, almond biscuit with some citrus and apple, fine powdery texture, flecked with pleasant green things, a slight oyster shell flavour and a cool and creamy finish of excellent length, with a subtle sappy aftertaste. Calm, composed and such a lovely thing to drink. Highly recommended GARY WALSH, Wine Front
This is Kumeu River's calling card. Made from a selection of six different sites of which they own four. Whole-bunch pressed and barrel-fermented (20% new). Vines planted from 1989 to 2005.
Some real richness on the nose. Then a green streak. Very fine texture! With Puligny savour and lift. Creamy yet fresh. Bullseye for the style. Good light grip on the end. Convincing. JANCIS ROBINSON MW
The ever-reliable Estate Chardonnay is a success again this year. Very pale in colour with a highly refined perfume of fresh pear, white peach and a little sandalwood. It has already opened up in the last six months and is showing a beautiful light smokiness from reduction. The palate has a superb sheen, with white fruits and flowers slick and refined, harmonious with a kick of savoury spices from well-judged use of oak. There is depth to the fruit, and a gentle creaminess that should build as this ages in bottle. Limes and a hint of charred wood drive to the finish, which is long and focused. This will drink well over the coming decade - I'd be tempted to decant now, or wait six months before approaching THOMAS PARKER MW
The 2022 Estate Chardonnay is nutty and svelte, with white peach, pastry, apricot kernel, brine and even a hint of malt biscuit through the finish. The wine has breadth and girth to it; it's not at all compact, but it's tight in texture. So, all things being equal, it's an exciting Chardonnay. This is from six different sites in the Kumeu area, with wine aging on lees in 20% new oak (just about all François Frères) for approximately 11 months. Lovely acid ERIN LARKIN, Wine Advocate