New Zealand |
2011 |
Kumeu River Chardonnay 'Hunting Hill' |
2 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£150 |
Rating
94
Release Price
NA
Drink Date
2014 - 2025
Reviewed by
Joe Czerwinski
Issue Date
27th Nov 2019
Source
End of November 2019, The Wine Advocate
A surprisingly plump, easygoing version, the 2011 Hunting Hill Chardonnay is wonderfully drinkable now, marrying nectarine and white peach notes with lime and lemon.
Last May, Kumeu River's U.S. distributor, Wilson Daniels, hosted a vertical tasting of the winery's four different Chardonnays that extended from 2017 back to 2006 (48 wines in total). It was a remarkable event, with the wines notable for their consistency and ageability. Winemaker Michael Brajkovich, MW, was an early adopter of screwcaps, so all of these wines were under that closure, which no doubt contributed to the freshness and lack of variation you might expect in a tasting like this. Rather than repeat reviews of recent vintages, I've focused on the wines from 2013 and earlier, plus supplemented my notes on the vertical tasting with a first look at the 2018 vintage bottlings. As vintages go, it doesn't appear to be especially strong, yet the wines are still excellent. Quantities are down, as is the use of new oak—to better marry with the lighter style of the vintage.
Tasting Notes |
|
94 |
New Zealand |
2013 |
Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay |
2 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£120 |
Rating
92
Release Price
NA
Drink Date
2017 - 2030
Reviewed by
Joe Czerwinski
Issue Date
27th Nov 2019
Source
End of November 2019, The Wine Advocate
Struck flint and crushed stone, hints of pencil shavings and lime appear on the nose of the 2013 Coddington Chardonnay. Racy and lean on the palate, it shows less of the warm, "Coddington" character than most vintages.
Last May, Kumeu River's U.S. distributor, Wilson Daniels, hosted a vertical tasting of the winery's four different Chardonnays that extended from 2017 back to 2006 (48 wines in total). It was a remarkable event, with the wines notable for their consistency and ageability. Winemaker Michael Brajkovich, MW, was an early adopter of screwcaps, so all of these wines were under that closure, which no doubt contributed to the freshness and lack of variation you might expect in a tasting like this. Rather than repeat reviews of recent vintages, I've focused on the wines from 2013 and earlier, plus supplemented my notes on the vertical tasting with a first look at the 2018 vintage bottlings. As vintages go, it doesn't appear to be especially strong, yet the wines are still excellent. Quantities are down, as is the use of new oak—to better marry with the lighter style of the vintage.
Tasting Notes |
|
92 |
New Zealand |
2013 |
Kumeu River Chardonnay 'Mate's Vineyard' |
2 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£210 |
Rating
96
Release Price
NA
Drink Date
2017 - 2030
Reviewed by
Joe Czerwinski
Issue Date
27th Nov 2019
Source
End of November 2019, The Wine Advocate
Still hanging on to some of its youthful floral, lime-blossom aromas, the 2013 Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay is another fine effort. It's medium to full-bodied, with hints of white peach and nectarine that buffer its considerable acid drive and focused length. It should go another decade or more.
Last May, Kumeu River's U.S. distributor, Wilson Daniels, hosted a vertical tasting of the winery's four different Chardonnays that extended from 2017 back to 2006 (48 wines in total). It was a remarkable event, with the wines notable for their consistency and ageability. Winemaker Michael Brajkovich, MW, was an early adopter of screwcaps, so all of these wines were under that closure, which no doubt contributed to the freshness and lack of variation you might expect in a tasting like this. Rather than repeat reviews of recent vintages, I've focused on the wines from 2013 and earlier, plus supplemented my notes on the vertical tasting with a first look at the 2018 vintage bottlings. As vintages go, it doesn't appear to be especially strong, yet the wines are still excellent. Quantities are down, as is the use of new oak—to better marry with the lighter style of the vintage.
Tasting Notes |
|
96 |
New Zealand |
2013 |
Kumeu River Chardonnay 'Hunting Hill' |
1 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£270 |
Rating
96
Release Price
NA
Drink Date
2017 - 2030
Reviewed by
Joe Czerwinski
Issue Date
27th Nov 2019
Source
End of November 2019, The Wine Advocate
Dense and rich for a Hunting Hill, the 2013 Hunting Hill Chardonnay shows remarkable concentration, allied to considerable elegance and finesse. Peach and melon notes flesh out the medium to full-bodied palate, while vibrant citrus provides drive and length.
Last May, Kumeu River's U.S. distributor, Wilson Daniels, hosted a vertical tasting of the winery's four different Chardonnays that extended from 2017 back to 2006 (48 wines in total). It was a remarkable event, with the wines notable for their consistency and ageability. Winemaker Michael Brajkovich, MW, was an early adopter of screwcaps, so all of these wines were under that closure, which no doubt contributed to the freshness and lack of variation you might expect in a tasting like this. Rather than repeat reviews of recent vintages, I've focused on the wines from 2013 and earlier, plus supplemented my notes on the vertical tasting with a first look at the 2018 vintage bottlings. As vintages go, it doesn't appear to be especially strong, yet the wines are still excellent. Quantities are down, as is the use of new oak—to better marry with the lighter style of the vintage.
Tasting Notes |
|
96 |
New Zealand |
2013 |
Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay |
1 |
Case |
6 |
150cl |
£290 |
Rating
92
Release Price
NA
Drink Date
2017 - 2030
Reviewed by
Joe Czerwinski
Issue Date
27th Nov 2019
Source
End of November 2019, The Wine Advocate
Struck flint and crushed stone, hints of pencil shavings and lime appear on the nose of the 2013 Coddington Chardonnay. Racy and lean on the palate, it shows less of the warm, "Coddington" character than most vintages.
Last May, Kumeu River's U.S. distributor, Wilson Daniels, hosted a vertical tasting of the winery's four different Chardonnays that extended from 2017 back to 2006 (48 wines in total). It was a remarkable event, with the wines notable for their consistency and ageability. Winemaker Michael Brajkovich, MW, was an early adopter of screwcaps, so all of these wines were under that closure, which no doubt contributed to the freshness and lack of variation you might expect in a tasting like this. Rather than repeat reviews of recent vintages, I've focused on the wines from 2013 and earlier, plus supplemented my notes on the vertical tasting with a first look at the 2018 vintage bottlings. As vintages go, it doesn't appear to be especially strong, yet the wines are still excellent. Quantities are down, as is the use of new oak—to better marry with the lighter style of the vintage.
Tasting Notes |
|
92 |
New Zealand |
2014 |
Kumeu River Chardonnay 'Hunting Hill' |
1 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£220 |
Rating
94
Release Price
NA
Drink Date
2016 - 2026
Reviewed by
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Issue Date
31st Dec 2015
Source
222, The Wine Advocate
The 2014 Hunting Hill Chardonnay has a white peach, spiced apple and honeyed pear nose with hints of ginger, brioche and almonds. Medium-bodied, the silken textured palate gives layer upon layer of stone fruit and savoury flavors plus excellent persistence.
Tasting Notes |
|
94 |
New Zealand |
2015 |
Pyramid Valley Chardonnay 'Lions Tooth' |
1 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£300 |
|
|
|
New Zealand |
2016 |
Pyramid Valley Chardonnay 'Field of Fire' |
1 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£260 |
Rating
92
Release Price
NA
Drink Date
2019 - 2025
Reviewed by
Joe Czerwinski
Issue Date
28th Feb 2020
Source
Issue 247 End of February 2020, The Wine Advocate
Notes of honey, toasted grain and pink grapefruit emerge on the nose of the 2016 Field Of Fire Chardonnay. It's medium to full-bodied and plump in the mouth but with vibrant citrus notes (lime, grapefruit) that grow in intensity on the lingering finish.
Tasting Notes |
|
92 |
New Zealand |
2016 |
Pyramid Valley Chardonnay 'Lions Tooth' |
1 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£300 |
Rating
92
Release Price
NA
Drink Date
2019 - 2025
Reviewed by
Joe Czerwinski
Issue Date
28th Feb 2020
Source
Issue 247 End of February 2020, The Wine Advocate
The 2016 Lion's Tooth Chardonnay comes across as warmer and peachier-ripe than the Field of Fire bottling, with notes of peach and pineapple balanced by hints of crushed stone and pencilly oak. It's medium to full-bodied yet fresh and focused on the finish, where it picks up hints of aniseed.
Tasting Notes |
|
92 |