Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay

Mates Vineyard is considered the best of the Kumeu River Chardonnay Cuvées but to be honest they are all delicious. This has such stone fruit intensity on the palate together with ripe grapefruit and Cashew. All in balance and drinking superbly. An outstanding new world Chardonnay. A few years left in its drinking window. It will always have that superb fruit and will develop a little more complexity - have the last 2019 in a year or two.

Kumeu River’s highly touted similarity to its French counterparts has by now been repeated so many times on various avenues that one might think it’s all just a marketing sham. On the contrary, there’s good reason for the claim, which was evident in this 17’ Maté’s Vineyard - blinded, it smelled and tasted so much like a Chassagne or Puligny… and dare I say… 1er cru. Serious nose which still needs time to integrate all the toasty oak characters. Aromas of white peaches and nectarines, ginger, some reduction, and hints of chamomile. On the palate, massive concentration with textures and length to match. Good acidity which gives it a mineral feel too. Honestly, it’s hard to call this a wine from New Zealand even after the reveal. Really impressive. Will look for older samples next.

Pea shoot and young coconut opening into subtle yellow apple and plum and hay, with a delicate sweetness. Wow, great concentration, lots of energy, lime and kiwi bubblegum plus phenolic complexity and good mineral searing the palate. A bit astringent and built for long haul. Not quite ready. Some oak, some so2 showing.

Vintage 2019 | ultimate charming

I believe this was my first time with this producer and it will not be my last. Decanted for about 30 minutes to lessen the reduction. Blew off some but still somewhat intrusive. Wonderful combination of creaminess and minerals. Yes there is oak, but it is there to enhance not distract. Acidity was bright. I believe some time in the cellar will produce even greater drinking pleasure.

High quality. For the price and quality it beats a lot of more expensive Burgundy whites and other Chardonnays. There’s a touch of petillance or tickle on the tongue (I believe it’s due to the screw cap).

Really nothing much more to add from my (and other Delectable users) previous notes about this incredible Chardonnay. Notes of pear, pineapple and cashew. Creamy on the palate. Simply put - a top shelf new world Chardonnay - now drinking at its peak.

Medium lemon in colour. An intriguing classy nose showing funky leesy notes, nectarine, cashew nut, flint and gunsmoke - many nuances. Palate staining citric intensity. One of the world’s great new world Chardonnays - no exaggeration. Has become an annual purchase for me. Postscript:: Similar notes to the 2010 vintage 193 weeks ago. This year I bought the “Hunting Hill” and “Coddington” Cuvées for the first time. Will be interesting to see the differences.

Like Bourgogne Blanc? Then get some! Deep, flavorful, nuanced, and joyously complex.

Great vintage and memories - lovely new oak, balance and length