Chardonnay
75cl * 14% ABV * Auckland, New Zealand
In 1990, Maté Brajkovich reworked the land and planted a new vineyard of Chardonnay vines on the site of the original vineyard that he and his family purchased in March 1944. The first grapes from this vineyard were harvested in March 1993, the year following Maté’s death. The resulting wine was released in November 1994 to coincide with celebrations marking the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Brajkovich Family’s arrival at Kumeu River.
Kumeu River winemaker Michael Brajkovich MW called 2019 “An exceptional vintage of unsurpassed quality”, high praise from a man who usually errs on the conservative side when describing vintage conditions. Mate’s Vineyard is always the last site picked each year. In 2019 the grapes certainly had the distinctive Mendoza millerandage, giving many small berries along with the normal sized ones, and as a result a wonderfully concentrated palate texture and fruit richness. Although somewhat shy on the nose coming out of the barrel, with bottle age the full palette of complex aromas and bouquet of this wonderful wine will be gradually and seductively revealed.
Drinking window: Now - 2032
"Already so pleasing! With that extra breadth plus undertow. Fantastic length. Creamy texture. One for hedonists – by which I don't mean it's at all sweet. But it's richer than the Hunting Hill yet still has that New Zealand purity of fruit. Who could resist this? New Zealand Chardonnay at its finest. Perhaps slightly less burgundian than the Hunting Hill. Drink 2020 – 2032." 17.5 Points Jancis Robinson MW (Sept 2020)
"Tense, ripe, pure, mineral, finesse, charm and beguiling. This is the best Mate’s I have encountered - the vintage says it all - aromas and flavours of apples and peaches, grapefruit and lemon then layers of new-ish wood weaving in texture, harmony, tension and length. The acidity is ripe and almost sweet to the taste also suggesting a light saline note. The palate is full and lengthy, pure and generous. Available from August - put your name down for a case. Best drinking likely beginning 2022 through 2032." 98 Points, Cameron Douglas MS
"Scents of hazelnut, mocha and lime-custard crème brûlée appear on the nose of the 2019 Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay. Complex and compelling, it's undoubtedly one of Kumeu River's top recent efforts. Medium to full-bodied, plump and generous on the palate, yet marked by zesty acids and a bright, citrusy finish, it's wonderfully balanced and drinkable now, yet it should age effortlessly for at least a decade. 2021 - 2030." 96 Points Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (Jun 2021)
"Kumeu River Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay 2019 is a concentrated chardonnay with peach, grapefruit, citrus and a suggestion of oyster-shell and mineral flavours. It’s a ripe and obviously youthful wine, with a slightly phenolic backbone and a lengthy finish. It should develop well with bottle age." Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review (Aug 2020)