Kumeu River Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

Kumeu River Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

96 Points – A Modern Benchmark for New World Chardonnay

The 2023 vintage of Kumeu River Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay once again confirms its status as one of the Southern Hemisphere’s finest white wines. Sourced from a single vineyard first planted in 1990 and named in honor of the late Mate Brajkovich, this wine is a masterclass in precision, minerality, and elegance.

On the nose, it offers a seductive bouquet of white peach, citrus blossom, toasted hazelnut, and a flinty, smoky undertone reminiscent of fine Puligny-Montrachet. The palate is crystalline and focused, with vibrant acidity driving through layers of lemon curd, ripe stone fruit, and subtle oak spice. The mouthfeel is both creamy and taut — a rare balance achieved through meticulous winemaking and wild yeast fermentation in French oak barriques.

Despite its richness, the wine remains wonderfully restrained, with a long, saline finish and a chalky texture that speaks to its coastal origins in Kumeu, just outside Auckland, New Zealand.

Drink now with grilled lobster or aged Comté, or cellar through 2033 to watch its complexity deepen.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Region: Kumeu, New Zealand

Varietal: Chardonnay

Style: Single Vineyard / Old World-Inspired

Farming: Sustainable

“A wine that rivals the best of Burgundy — Kumeu River continues to set the gold standard.”

Available in limited quantities. Add to your cellar today.