2019 Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
I tasted the 2019 Estate Chardonnay six years from harvest, almost to the date, and the wine is showing white chocolate, cigar leaf, shaved fennel and white peach. On the palate, the wine is complete—rich and full, with acidity that feels undiminished by time and with flavors of caramel wafer, salted peach and something like malt/Ovaltine that kisses the edges of the fruit. I'd be interested to see where this goes, because the finish and acidity remain composed—unfragmented—hinting at a longer life than perhaps the fruit has in it. It's exciting to drink now, though, and will be for the next few years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
A little less tense than the 2020 Estate. Even verging on blowsy? The fruit and acidity are not quite as seamlessly integrated as on the 2020. If I hadn’t got the 2020 to compare it with, I would probably have been even more enthusiastic! (JR)
The 2019 Chardonnay Estate is done in a savory, subtle style and is opening up now. It offers a smooth, rounded texture. Lees and oak-derived oatmeal characters join lemon and nectarine. While tight on the finish, it's balanced and provides line and length. The 2019 is in a delightful spot right now and will continue to evolve gracefully under its screwcap.
Beautiful bacon smoke on the nose, melon and red apple on the palate. Leesy and textural with long, grainy length. Dry and appetising, with moderate acidity and plentiful body – this is modern Chardonnay without the diet. A three-course meal of a Chardonnay. (RH)