Kumeu River

Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay

9.2166 ratings
9.257 pro ratings
Kumeu, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
Chardonnay
Duck, Shellfish, Goose, Mushrooms, Manchego & Parmesan, Game, Pork, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Turkey, Cheddar & Gruyere, Meaty & Oily Fish, White Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Cream Sauces
Top Notes For
Bob McDonald

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.

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.

Apr 15th, 2024
Aaron Tan

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.

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.

Jul 6th, 2023
Josh Morgenthau

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.

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.

Jan 31st, 2023
Peter van den Besselaar

Vintage 2019 | ultimate charming

Vintage 2019 | ultimate charming

May 13th, 2022
Ira Schwartz

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.

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.

Dec 20th, 2021
MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.4

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).

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).

Oct 17th, 2021
Bob McDonald

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.

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.

May 3rd, 2021
Bob McDonald

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.

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.

Oct 24th, 2020
Sybaritewino C.Lawrence

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

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

Jul 2nd, 2019
Douglas Renall

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

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

1 person found it helpfulDec 25th, 2017