Chardonnay Estate, Kumeu River 2025

Hailing from the exceptional 2025 growing season, the 2025 Estate Chardonnay leads initially with toasty/pencilly oak notes; however, the fruit on the palate is where the quality of the vintage is on show. Here we have yellow peach, sea salt, toasted sage leaf (even bay), quince, fig and white flowers. The acidity is prodigious, and this serves as a prop in the middle of the palate, providing real tension and fierceness to the otherwise ripe fruit. This is a very good wine, and the length through the finish is impressive. 13.6% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2026 - 2035.

Very aromatic, with white peaches and orchard blossom lifted by a touch of sourdough and wet clay. Medium-bodied, with brisk acidity setting the tone, subtle and delicate in feel with crisp freshness running through to a long, precise finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Sourced from six Kumeu vineyard sites, not all owned but definitely managed by the family. They have lost a couple of ingredients over the last few years so volumes have slightly decreased. This is Kumeu River’s most clonally diverse Chardonnay bottling. Whole-bunch pressed and 100% barrel fermentation (20% new) with ambient yeast. Aged 11 months.Looks quite substantial, even dense! Leaner on the nose than the Hawke’s Bay wines. Lots to chew on. The most ambitious Estate bottling yet. This would not look out of place at all in Puligny! Chalky texture on the finish. 2026-2032.