2016 Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay, Auckland

Made from top quality grapes grown in six vineyard sites, Kumeu River’s Estate cuvée is a benchmark New Zealand Chardonnay. Pale lemon colour, aromas are vibrant and spicy, recalling lemons and a hint of smoke. The palate is medium bodied and silkily textured, with precise citrus and white peach flavours. This is a perfectly balanced, taut, racy wine, where oak barrels have been used judiciously for maturation (20% new) to give delicate hints of spice and richness of mouth-feel, the finish being long-flavoured and crisp (for drinking 2018-2021+).