Boasting signature scents of toasted hazelnuts and white peaches, the 2019 Estate Chardonnay is a classic example of the house style. Medium to full-bodied, it somehow manages to be creamy and zesty at the same time, with rich fruit enlivened by electric acidity and bright citrus notes. Always enjoyable young, this vintage looks to have at least a decade's worth of longevity.

Kumeu River continues to set the pace for New Zealand Chardonnay, from its unlikely base just west of Auckland. The big news is the addition of a vineyard (Rays Road) in central Hawke's Bay to augment Chardonnay and Pinot Noir production.

Joe Czerwinski, Juin 2021