96pts Wine Enthusiast
Kumeu’s limestone hillside in Hawkes Bay has really stepped it up in just one year. It’s the most overtly fruity of the range, but it always feels fresh and mineral-driven, too, as if blown through with a salty sea breeze. Notes of lemon zest, melon and orange blossom are underpinned by toffee, cream and oak spice. There’s richness on the palate, but it’s a different shape than some of the other Kumeu Chards. The oak is sculpted into the wine. There’s beautifully tingly acidity and a long finish
93pts James Suckling
Mangoes, lemon curd, baked apples, hazelnuts, custard and some salted caramel. Ripe and creamy with a full body. Tropical fruit and buttery layers balanced by bright acidity. Drink now.
90pts Vinous
The 2021 Chardonnay Rays Road is bright, refreshing and almost salty. I'm even tempted to say mineral; its most certainly not a fruity Chardonnay. The finish is lightly savory with fresh white pear and floral notes. There's a sense of pithiness and citrus line followed up with an almost chalky texture.
Winemaker Notes
With new clonal plantings of Chardonnay in their second year of production, we were able to blend some extra ripeness and richness with the fresh limestone vibrancy of the existing vines. The result is an exciting Rays Road Chardonnay showing white flowers and lemon on the nose, with rich texture and vibrant acidity on the palate.
History
Founded in 1944 by Mick Brajkovich, wife Katé and son Maté, Kumeu River was one of the early pioneers in Auckland, New Zealand, that helped to establish its reputation as a world-class wine region. Still family owned and run, Kumeu River continues to pioneer new frontiers: winemaker Michael Brajkovich became New Zealand’s first member of the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine, London, they have been testing and championing screw cap closures for close to 20 years and the winery has gone on to become the globally recognized benchmark for non-Burgundy produced Chardonnay. All Kumeu River wines are hand-harvested, whole bunch pressed and demonstrate exclusive use of indigenous yeast fermentation.
The Chardonnays of Kumeu River have gained a strong foothold within the international market, continuously and consistently receiving outstanding accolades. The winery is a globally recognized benchmark for age-worthy Chardonnay outside of Burgundy.
