"Amongst the very best Chardonnay producers in the world... factor in the prices that frankly make a mockery of much of White Burgundy and Napa..."
Neal Martin
"A truly great producer of fine, age worthy Chardonnay at more than fair prices..."
Jancis Robinson MW
Kumeu River is without a doubt one of New Zealand's pioneering producers, led by the enigmatic Michael Brajkovich - the first Kiwi Master of Wine (MW) and all-round Chardonnay genius. His wines are held in the highest regards by critics worldwide and easily compete with some of the best Chardonnay's from Napa and Burgundy... for us, they are the New World answer to Puligny-Montrachet!
2020 has been lauded as quite possibly the best vintage ever produced at Kumeu with Paul Brajkovich (Michael's brother), declaring that "we expect the 2020s to be terrific in seven to 10 years. It is a vintage that we rank at the very top of anything we have seen over the past 40 years" - high praise indeed.
We do also have several brilliant 2019s, as well as a small allocation of their top wine; Mate's Vineyard 2018, available - please see the full offer below. We're happy to do mixed cases if you want to try a range of styles and vintages; please call the office on 01325 776446, or email us at wine@bcfw.co.uk with your requests and we'll do our best to accommodate.
2020
Estate Chardonnay 2020 | £22.99
"Pure citrus – both grapefruit and lemon – with a slight smoky/reductive note. Gorgeous mix of vineyard/fruit purity and careful winemaking. Deep, long, creamy and fresh. A way to go. GV." Drink 2021-2024. 16.5+/20 points. Julia Harding MW (Jancisrobinson.com)
"There's a sense of calm to the 2020 Chardonnay Estate, a blend of six different sites. It is mellow, offering a plump cushion of Chardonnay goodness on the midpalate but not becoming heavy nor opulent, its youthful edge and fresh acidity tying it together into a precise finish. It offers classic subtle Chardonnay characters of Golden Delicious apple, white nectarine and a mere whiff of oak-derived smokiness. Well constructed, satisfying and elegant." 91/100 points. Rebecca Gibb MW (Vinous)
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Ray's Road Chardonnay 2020 | £25.99
"Neat and well integrated, quite restrained. And already very accessible though with light, fine tannins and quite opulent fruit on the front palate. Sprightly. Lemon-pastille flavour. Very long. Beautifully made." Drink 2021-2027. 17/20 points. Jancis Robinson MW
"This is a fuller style from Hawke’s Bay and quite different from the rest of the Kumeu range of chardonnays. Bold, ripe peaches dominate the nose and palate. The texture is impressively silky and smooth. Very fleshy and complete. Impressive. Drink or hold. Screw cap." 95/100 points. James Suckling
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Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2020 | £43.99
"Really nervy nose. Truly burgundian, if one is allowed to say this. Great fruit and great tension. Just the job and amazingly vibrant and persistent on the finish. You could drink this already but it will clearly last really well – though winemaker Michael Brajkovich is consistently cautious with his suggested drinking windows; 'will improve with bottle age for four to six years'. A hint of Puligny here." Drink 2021-2028. 17++/20 points. Jancis Robinson MW
"Possibly the most complete Hunting Hill Chardonnay I've tasted in youth, the 2020 provides a harmonious, melt-in-your-mouth impression. It has breadth and concentration but retains a sense of elegance on the midpalate before finishing with precision and length. Yes, there's a little bit of flint character too, but then Hunting Hill is known to be reductive; give it time. Like Forrest Gump, it runs through a finish line and keeps on going effortlessly. There's no box of chocolates here, though; it's all white nectarine, citrus, white flowers and a touch of smoked nuts." Drink 2023-2035. 95/100 points. Rebecca Gibb MW (Vinous)
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2019
Ray's Road Chardonnay 2019 | £24.99
"This has attractively creamy aromas with white peach and vanilla, as well as sliced mango and honey. The palate serves up fleshy and mouth-filling peach and mango flavors that wrap together so well on the finish. Love the fruit purity here. Drink or hold. Screw cap." 94/100 points. James Suckling
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Coddington Vineyard Chardonnay 2019 | £30.99
"This is a punchy and chiseled Coddington with attractive peach and citrus-fruit aromas, as well as hazelnuts and white stones. The palate has a very focused, pure shape with a central spine of intense peach flavor, crisp phenolics and clenching acidity to close. Real drive here. Drink or hold. Screw cap." 96/100 points. James Suckling
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2018
Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay 2018 | £42.00
"The top-tier chardonnay here is very much in command and has a super rich and very concentrated feel with deep, ripe-peach and mango aromas with grilled-grapefruit notes, too. The palate is very rich and ripe, offering a super fleshy feel with long, rich and layered, stone-fruit flavors. Drink or hold. Screw cap." 96/100 points. James Suckling
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Prices quoted per bottle, by the case (6/12x75cl), and includes UK Duty & VAT. Free Duty Paid delivery available to UK mainland addresses on orders over the value of £200 - standard delivery is charged at £9.95 if order totals below.
