2016 Kumeu River Chardonnay Village, New Zealand, Wine Review

I have been on a kick this summer trying the wines from this winery. This is their least expensive Chardonnay. This is a crisp Chardonnay that see no new oak and only 25% used French oak. Light golden in color. The nose is pretty with slight tropical fruits/melon but more lemon/lime notes and nice minerality. Medium bodied. Crisp acidity. On the palate, the minerality leads followed by a nice peachy quality and a bit of lemon. Long finish. This is delicious on its own and should be very versatile with all but the heaviest or lightest foods. It should probably be consumed over the next five years but may last longer if well stored.

Grade:

A-

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Vintage:

2016

Current Price:

$20.00USD

Hawke's Bay: New Zealand's Oldest Wine Region

Hawke's Bay, the oldest wine region in New Zealand, is known for its top-quality red wines and chardonnays. In fact, 30 percent of all chardonnay grapes grown in New Zealand are planted in the Hawke's Bay wine region.

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2016 Kumeu River Chardonnay Hunting Hill, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

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Grade:

Current Price:

$54.00USD

One of the great Chardonnay's anywhere! Screw capped. Light gold/green in color. Great nose with minerality, lemons, slight vanilla and a hint of pears. Medium to full bodied. Crisp and clean. Refreshing and delicious. This took maybe 30 minutes to open and then kept opening all night long. The palate had lemons, lots of minerality and a sort of "poached pears in vanilla sauce only crisper quality". Lots of depth. Long finish. This bottle is still on the young side but drinking great. It will continue to do so for another ten to twelve years. Drinks great on its own, this worke

2015 Kumeu River Chardonnay Hunting Hill, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

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Current Price:

$50.00USD

What a superb Chardonnay. This is still a bit on the younger side, but drinking very well. Light golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is clean and delightful. Minerals with lemons and just a hint of Meyer lemon and an herbal note. Medium bodied. On the palate, this is crisp with excellent acidity. Minerals galore. Layers of complexity unwind in the glass. A bit of lemon pith especially on the finish. This is great now on its own and will work with all sorts of food. Baked seafood would be a great choice. It should continue to improve for the next seven to ten years and be

2020 Kumeu River Chardonnay Estate, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage:

2020

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Current Price:

$30.00USD

Another excellent world class Chardonnay from this New Zealand producer. Light golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is very nice with lemons, slight peach and slight tropical fruit. Medium bodied. Crisp. On the palate, this is young but plenty of depth. Lemon and peaches with some minerality. Long finish. This is drinking well now but should improve a bit. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years. Great on its own, this will work well with lobster.

2015 Kumeu River Chardonnay Hunting Hill, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$50.00USD

Another from this top producer of Chardonnay. Light golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is great with lemon curd, slight pineapple and minerality. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, this is crisp and energetic. The lemon curd comes thru but also some lemon candy with underlying minerality. Long finish. This is delicious but also the kind of wine that makes one take notice. Still young with a great vibrancy, this easily should continue maturing for the next dozer or so years. Great on its own, this will work well with lighter foods and even heavier sea food or fowl dishes

2016 Kumeu River Chardonnay Village, New Zealand, Wine Review

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2015 Kumeu River Chardonnay Hunting Hill, New Zealand, Wine Review