2017 Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
I'm glad to be tasting these cooler-vintage 2017s alongside the riper 2019 vintage wines. They are very different in personality, and it allows for some comprehension of the style/vineyard within the glass. The 2017 Estate Chardonnay is a blend of six vineyards, which are now eight years from harvest. In the mouth, the cool vintage has held this wine in good stead. It is evolving and showing tertiary fruit characters, but that's all in sync with other aspects of the wine: phenolic structure, ripe acidity, gently toasty oak. The fruit here is evolving more slowly than the riper 2019 Estate Chardonnay. I love the complexity and detail here.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The trademark hint of reduction, with subtle nuttiness and golden-apple fruit. A ripe and rich mouth-filling style is complemented by excellent freshness and a saline touch. So alive and fresh and really good value for money. GV (AC)
The 2017 Estate Chardonnay has a fresh, well-defined bouquet of citrus fruit complemented by subtle scents of brioche and almond. The palate is taut and crisp on the entry with a twist of sour lemon. Very saline in the mouth, not powerful but full of tension. The aforementioned saline tang lingers on the aftertaste. Superb - one of the best Estate releases in recent years. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.