2009 Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
Hints of smoke and grilled nuts dominate the nose of the 2009 Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay, perhaps the weakest vintage in this impressive lineup. It's medium-bodied, lacking both the opulent fruit of ripe vintages and the typical zest and length of cool years. I still wouldn't throw it out of bed for eating crackers....
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay offers rich honeysuckle, lemon curd and oyster shell scents on the nose, which is perhaps not quite as precise as the 2007 but certainly gains intensity with aeration. The well-balanced palate is taut and linear (more so than the aromatics suggest), offering a fine bead of acidity and a tang of ginger on the slightly creamy-textured finish. Very fine. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.
Glowing straw gold. Light and fresh on the nose. Sweet start. Pleasing and flattering without being absolutely true to house style. A tad duller. Grinds to a halt on the end rather. Sweet finish. (JR)
Mid greenish straw. Nervy, savoury nose and pretty stolid on the palate. Lots of palate presence and a bit of sweet heat on the end so surely burgundy? Good balance and with weight but slightly sour on the end. Not quite as refined as some of the other Kumeu River Chardonnays. (JR)