Kumeu River
Coddington Chardonnay
Kumeu, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
Pale lemon in colour. Flinty/struck match notes on the nose - initially citrus and with time more stone fruit. The palate is rich and opulent with grapefruit and white peach sharing the spoils. I have had limited experience with Coddington but this was flat out delicious. The winemaker suggests a short window of 2-4 years (hard to see it being better than it is right now ), whereas pros like JR take it through to 2031. An exceptional new world Chardonnay.
Pale lemon in colour. Flinty/struck match notes on the nose - initially citrus and with time more stone fruit. The palate is rich and opulent with grapefruit and white peach sharing the spoils. I have had limited experience with Coddington but this was flat out delicious. The winemaker suggests a short window of 2-4 years (hard to see it being better than it is right now ), whereas pros like JR take it through to 2031. An exceptional new world Chardonnay.
Nov 10th, 2025
Vintage 2021 | beautiful Chardonnay expression
Vintage 2021 | beautiful Chardonnay expression
Sep 19th, 2025Some flinty funky notes to begin with. On the medium weight palate more stone fruit than citrus. I don’t have enough experience with Kumeu River to distinguish the different Chardonnay Cuvées but from Coddington, Hunters Hill, Maté’s Vineyard and the Estate, Mate’s is generally considered the best. I notice now there is a new Chardonnay Cuvée called Rays Road. This is restrained with just the right amount of intensity. A class act from Michael Brajkovich MW and the Brajkovich family. Michael was New Zealand’s first Master of Wine. An outstanding new world Chardonnay.
Some flinty funky notes to begin with. On the medium weight palate more stone fruit than citrus. I don’t have enough experience with Kumeu River to distinguish the different Chardonnay Cuvées but from Coddington, Hunters Hill, Maté’s Vineyard and the Estate, Mate’s is generally considered the best. I notice now there is a new Chardonnay Cuvée called Rays Road. This is restrained with just the right amount of intensity. A class act from Michael Brajkovich MW and the Brajkovich family. Michael was New Zealand’s first Master of Wine. An outstanding new world Chardonnay.
Dec 10th, 2023
The Kumeu River single vineyards are some of the best kept secrets in the world great Chardonnay. Amazing stuff
The Kumeu River single vineyards are some of the best kept secrets in the world great Chardonnay. Amazing stuff
Jun 18th, 2021
First discovered this wine at SingleThread Farms staff holiday party surrounded by Grand Cru white Burgundy. Concentrated and impressively layered showing ripe peaches, creamy vanilla bean, white flowers and hints of Gruner-like white pepper spice. Finishes with very good depth and focus. Absolute incredible value at sub $50 and a rare instance where my glass costs more than the wine....From the cellar of Blue Hill at Stone Barns.
First discovered this wine at SingleThread Farms staff holiday party surrounded by Grand Cru white Burgundy. Concentrated and impressively layered showing ripe peaches, creamy vanilla bean, white flowers and hints of Gruner-like white pepper spice. Finishes with very good depth and focus. Absolute incredible value at sub $50 and a rare instance where my glass costs more than the wine....From the cellar of Blue Hill at Stone Barns.
May 10th, 2020Vintage 2011 / a wonderful fanning out smell when some rime in the glass. Either you love the smell or you hate it; pop stinking. I like it. Minerals and vibrant bitterness.
Vintage 2011 / a wonderful fanning out smell when some rime in the glass. Either you love the smell or you hate it; pop stinking. I like it. Minerals and vibrant bitterness.
Jun 29th, 2019
Lime skin, toasty brioche, complex nose. Beautifully balanced palate, textural with driving acidity and great length. One of the NZ greats of Chardonnay.
Lime skin, toasty brioche, complex nose. Beautifully balanced palate, textural with driving acidity and great length. One of the NZ greats of Chardonnay.
Oct 7th, 2017
Killer wine! Try against your fav 1er cru Puligny M
Killer wine! Try against your fav 1er cru Puligny M
May 28th, 2016