Description
Mate’s Vineyard is arguably the most complex of all the Single Vineyard Chardonnays by Kumeu River in New Zealand, produced by Michael Brajkovich and his family from this legendary estate that has created a worldwide cult following. Its full flavour, huge complexity and very fresh natural acidity provide balance and a long, mouth-watering finish.
TASTING NOTE: A light yellow/gold colour in the glass. On the nose: it is intense and aromatic, and relatively open compared to some vintages. It is full of citrus and stone fruits with hints of hazelnut and spice from barrel fermentation and ageing. On the palate: It is medium to full in body, with medium to high acidity and lovely depth of flavour, with orchard fruits, spice, woodsmoke, mixed nut characters. It has lots of ripe flavour and complexity, which will increase over time. 13.7% alcohol, it is nicely balanced with the powerful fruit and fresh acidity. An elegant, fine-textured Chardonnay for decanting, or cellaring for many years.
FOOD PAIRING, STORING AND SERVICE: Kumeu River suggests enjoying their Chardonnays with seafood, pasta, or poultry dishes. For this wine, we would recommend trying it with roast chicken, truffle risotto or for a vegetarian dish, try this with a grilled asparagus/pepper salad with toasted walnuts nuts and a creamy lemon poppy seed vinaigrette. Drink now (decant for 1-2 hours and serve at around 10 or 11 degrees) or this will easily keep for 7-10 years in half bottle.
ABOUT: Michael Brajkovich and his family are based in an area just to the west of Auckland, New Zealand as well as owning vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, all on the North Island of New Zealand. They have been making single vineyard wines from each of their vineyards for the past seventy years, and also an estate blend from their six different sites which is this wine, the Estate Chardonnay. They have all regularly beaten top white, Burgundy wines in recent blind tastings line-ups, and in our view thoroughly deserve their title as the best white wines in New Zealand. The 2025 vintage saw a very dry harvest season. Other than 17mm of rain in the middle of February, which topped up the vine’s water reserves, it was a warm, dry, successful growing season right through to the middle of March. The wines are excellent as a result!
