Kumeu River 2026

A complex and whole chardonnay with sliced apples, flint. limes and stones on the nose and palate. It's medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and a long and complete aftertaste. (97) JAMES SUCKLING

FIVE STARS - Very ripe and smoky. Shows classic Coddington aromas of grilled pineapple, rockmelon and red apple but is sleek, focussed and not at all blowsy. Concentrated and weighty, the new oak comes through right at the end of the palate. Finishes with hint of reduction and smoke. (96) JASPER MORRIS MW

The 2024 Coddington Chardonnay is alive on the palate with preserved lemon rind, tendrils of crushed shells and layers of brine. It is electric, in its way. There are salted and crushed nuts on the middle palate and length, which uncoils through the finish that allows a second and third look at the detail inherent within. This is very exciting and also creamy. (96) ERIN LARKIN

Plenty of power and concentration to the '24 chardonnays with Coddington leading the way. It's as funky as Motown music from the '60s, with mouth-watering sulphides, smokiness all bound by invigorating acidity, subtle oak spices and nutty/creamy barrel ferment/lees flavours. Plenty of flavour and richness yet all reined-in, so the result is a complex and compelling drink. (95) JANE FAULKNER, James Halliday's Wine Companion

White peach and nectarine, lime rind, aniseed, a slight matchstick character with light cinnamon and cedar oak. It's energetic and zesty, lots of flint and chalkiness to texture, a youthful juiciness to fruit, though gee it has some energy and the finish is crisp and very long. Cool and tight, a little lemon peel in the aftertaste. Delightful. GARY WALSH, Wine Front
 

The aromas of apple pie, citrus, cream, and crushed stones are compelling. Full-bodied with a focused and phenolic center palate that gives form and energy to this young chardonnay. Flavorful but tense in the finish. (96) JAMES SUCKLING

FIVE STARS - Super concentrated. Stylistically different to the Coddington, as less flesh and upfront charm and but instead plenty of sleek, lithe flinty reduction. Lemon blossom and apple sorbet. Great degree of ripeness and poise. A creamy, silken texture. (96) JASPER MORRIS MW
The 2024 Hunting Hill Chardonnay is the ripest in alcohol of the 2024 releases, and it feels powerfully layered and driven on the palate. This is rich, almost thunderous in its positioning, with salted citrus and exotic spices (star anise/fennel/scraped vanilla pod). The oak here is polished and elegant, smoothing down any stray, loose hairs. The barrels have been air dried for three years and lightly toasted. The finish is tight and focused. (95) ERIN LARKIN

My, my this is exceptional. It's intense without being heavy, and has power yet a certain sophistication. Smoky and flinty, with ripe stone fruit and grapefruit, pith, too, and some briny almost-oyster-shell nuances. Hazelnut praline, clotted cream and spicy oak all add to the depth of flavour and complexity, yet it's juicy and tangy, too, thanks to the acidity, which renders the finish long and satisfying. (96) JANE FAULKNER, James Halliday's Wine Companion

Hunting Hill was planted in 1982, then replanted in 2000. It overlooks Maté's Vineyard. Scotch Finger biscuits, hazelnut, aniseed, red apple, pear, spice and white flowers. It's glossy, savoury and saline, oatmeal and toasted hazelnut, mellifluous and spicy, balanced acidity, a chalky and grainy grip to texture, with a salted nut finish of superb length and shape. A complete wine. Yes. GARY WALSH, Wine Front

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