New Zealand
Who hasn't stuck their nose in a glass of Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc and gone "wow"? It's one of the world's great wine styles - so immediately characterful, so instantly easy to like. So, of course, our range is dominated by Sauvignon Blanc, but they're not all from Marlborough and they're not all the tropical gooseberry cut-grass monsters that we've come to know and love (and, occasionally, get a bit bored of). The cooler climate of New Zealand gives rise to delightful Rieslings; and Kiwi Chardonnays maybe have a little more crisp balance that those from the other side of the Tasman Sea.
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2020 KUMEU 'VILLAGE' Chardonnay Kumeu River
North Island New Zealand 13.5% White
Chardonnay.
As always, this has a selection of riper fruit, in the more tropical spectrum of melon and peach. It retains purity well. The palate holds such impressive concentration and hits the mark of freshness. A very strong relea...(read more)
James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com
2019 ALTITUDE Sauvignon Blanc Two Rivers of Marlborough
South Island New Zealand 14% White
Sauvignon Blanc.
Sourced from our Saint Maur Vineyard in the Southern Valleys, this alternative style sauvignon blanc displays fresh herb and cucumber characters combined with white flesh nectarine notes. Elegant and complex, the palate...(read more)
Winemaker's notes
2020 RIPPON 'Rippon' Mature Vine Riesling
South Island New Zealand 12% White
Riesling. Bio-dynamic, Practising Organic
Lime zest, lemon blossom, white peach, flint and white pepper on the nose. Medium-bodied with sharp, bracing acidity. So vibrant and compact with a mineral backbone. Really minerally, tart and dry on the finish. Better f...(read more)
James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com
2020 RIPPON Gewurztraminer
South Island New Zealand 13.5% White
Gewurztraminer. Bio-dynamic, Practising Organic
2020 KUMEU RIVER 'ESTATE' Chardonnay
North Island New Zealand 13.5% White
Chardonnay.
Oak – 100% barrel fermentation in 20% new French oak and 100% malolactic fermentation with 11 months maturation in barrel. The level of oaking in these wines is always very controlled but it sticks out more in the Estate...(read more)
Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com
2020 KUMEU RIVER Chardonnay Ray's Road
Hawkes Bay North Island New Zealand 13.5% White
Chardonnay.
This is a fuller style from Hawke’s Bay and quite different from the rest of the Kumeu range of chardonnays. Bold, ripe peaches dominate the nose and palate. The texture is impressively silky and smooth. Very fleshy and...(read more)
James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com
2019 KUMEU RIVER 'Stables Blend' Chardonnay
North Island New Zealand 14% White
Chardonnay.
This is a blend of two of our oldest vineyards that we thought would be an interesting exercise, particularly in a wonderful vintage like 2019. The Coddington portion from the Stables end of that vineyard shows a bit mor...(read more)
Winemaker's notes
2020 KUMEU RIVER Chardonnay Coddington
North Island New Zealand 13.5% White
Chardonnay.
Vibrant and expressive, with Bartlett pear, yellow apple and dried apricot flavors that show touches of honeycomb, finishing with a note of salted almond. Drink now through 2030.
MaryAnn Worobiec, The Wine Spectator
2019 KUMEU RIVER Chardonnay Hunting Hill
North Island New Zealand 14% White
Chardonnay.
As we tasted through the line-up of these 2019s - the Hunting Hill stood out for its open feel and instant charm, The broad and expansive nose leads to a lively palate. Intense and nicely concentrated - with great acid p...(read more)
L&S
2018 KUMEU RIVER Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay
North Island New Zealand 13% White
Chardonnay.
Maté Barjkovich's name lives on in this vineyard immediately opposite the winery and family home, all planted with the Mendoza clone. Gorgeous nose, quite opulent and pear and peach, so much vibrant, brilliant fru...(read more)
Tom Cannavan, www.wine-pages.comORDER
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