2023 Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay, Kumeu

The Brajkovich family`s Estate Chardonnay is drawn from six different vineyard sites in the Kumeu area. This is their flagship wine that expresses the personality of high quality Chardonnay from the clay soils of their home region. As such, particular care is taken to select only the very best grapes and to handle them with unwavering respect. Hand harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts, this 2023 fermented and aged for 11 months in french oak barrels (20% new).

From the notably cooler 2023 vintage, this Estate Chardonnay has a very pale lemon-gold colour, aromas being subtle, taut and delicately fragrant, recalling fresh lemon and lime, with a hint of white peach. Palate is more openly expressive, showing full body, precise structure and very fine concentration of smoky citrus flavours. This has more freshness, raciness and lift than in some years, yet still displays the supple, creamy texture that is so central to its style (for drinking 2024-2029+).