Coddington Chardonnay, Kumeu River 2024

A complex and whole chardonnay with sliced apples, flint. limes and stones on the nose and palate. It’s medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and a long and complete aftertaste. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

The 2024 Coddington Chardonnay is alive on the palate with preserved lemon rind, tendrils of crushed shells and layers of brine. It is electric, in its way. There are salted and crushed nuts on the middle palate and length, which uncoils through the finish that allows a second and third look at the detail inherent within. This is very exciting and also creamy. It was tasted as a tank sample prior to filtration and bottling.

Full screwcapped bottle 1,348 g. From a 1.8-ha vineyard planted in 1994. Hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed before 100% spontaneous barrel ferment in French oak with 100% malo (25% new French oak). 11 months' ageing in barrel. Lease extension has been negotiated but only annual so they don't invest in new plantings here. Always one of the last vineyards to pick because of leafroll virus, like Maté's. Heat trap gives stone-fruit character, says Michael B. Barrels from a single heavy-toasting cooper. Half of the usual crop and sold out fast in NZ. Mid straw-gold. Rich, peachy nose and softer than most of the Kumeu bottlings with light oak influence. Big and bold. A real undertow of ripeness. Even a little heat. Drink 2025-2032.

Very ripe and smoky. Shows classic Coddington aromas of grilled pineapple, rockmelon and red apple but is sleek, focussed and not at all blowsy. Concentrated and weighty, the new oak comes through right at the end of the palate. Finishes with hint of reduction and smoke. Drink from 2028-2038. Tasted Aug 2025. ***** 5 Star Wine