Chardonnay Rays Road, Kumeu River 2025

The 2025 Rays Road Chardonnay comes from the Hawke's Bay vineyard, and the nose leads with creamed cashew, white peach, citrus pith and salted caper brine. The palate is creamy and sleek, with bright acidity and talcy phenolics through the open-weave finish. There's a lot of unspent power here—it feels raw and unbridled somehow. This is impressive and quite different from the other cuvées, though it continues to bear the hallmarks of the Kumeu River house style. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2024 - 2040.

Aromas of crushed stone and flint with subtle apple and transparency on the nose. Medium-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and a long, tangy finish. Vibrant and vivid chardonnay. Drink now. Screw cap.

Made like the Estate Chardonnay except that there may have been one or two new barrels. Nothing but their own newish plantings (from 2018) of Chardonnay now in this bottling, so no clone 95, just clone 15, 548 and perhaps a little Mendoza. Next year they’ll release a single-parcel Hawke’s Bay bottling that’s not yet named and this will be followed by a second parcel bottling the following year.Tight, introvert nose – quite steely. Sleek and fresh with an obvious, though mild, oak corset. Quite structured. Lots to chew on and a little bit of passion-fruit flavour. 2027-2034.