Tried these today, my write up of impressions is you know where but general feelings from me is you could definitely see the warmer vintage in these wines. The estate version was a bit so so imo, the other 3 were outstanding. The Mates massive, definitely the most substantial and seemingly concentrated vintage of this wine.
Anyone else tried yet?
As an aside KR is another winery with stars in its eyes when it comes to 2010 vintage. A small and outstanding crop. They expect to make superstars. Something to look forward to
New Releases 2008 Kumeu River Chardonnays
New Releases 2008 Kumeu River Chardonnays
Follow me on Vivino for tasting notes Craig Thomson
Re: New Releases 2008 Kumeu River Chardonnays
Tried on Thursday at Kumeu River in a mini vertical 06, 07, 08 vintages of each of Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay and the single vineyard Coddington, Hunting Hill and Mate's. 2006 wines are simply stunning across the board and still quite youthful - a vintage to continue to cellar with confidence.
Found the 08's quite tight but opened up beautifully in the glass with a bit of time. Should be a long-lived vintage.
I loved the perfume of the Coddington and the generosity of the Hunting Hill (stunning) while I thought the 08 Mate's a little wrapped up in its winemaking leesy shroud at the moment.
The Estate had a delicate touch compared to the single vineyard wines - ie the single vineyards just that little more concentrated.
Kumeu River rates as NZ's No. 1 Chardonnay producer in my book.
Cheers,
Sue
Found the 08's quite tight but opened up beautifully in the glass with a bit of time. Should be a long-lived vintage.
I loved the perfume of the Coddington and the generosity of the Hunting Hill (stunning) while I thought the 08 Mate's a little wrapped up in its winemaking leesy shroud at the moment.
The Estate had a delicate touch compared to the single vineyard wines - ie the single vineyards just that little more concentrated.
Kumeu River rates as NZ's No. 1 Chardonnay producer in my book.
Cheers,
Sue
Re: New Releases 2008 Kumeu River Chardonnays
with 5 chardies produced, they certainly are 'specialists' and now a huge weight of extremely tidy chardonnays. i fall short describing them as definitely no1 in NZ mainly based on them not performing as well as expected in various blind tests I have set up over the last few years. Also I feel some other labels cellar better. neudorf at 4-5 years bottle age i reckon has top spot. On release it is closer. Sacred Hill Riflemans perhaps now even pips Te Mata Elston (mind you elston is nearly half the price!). You then have Ata Rangi Craighall then a mass of labels a fraction behind?
However, that said I love KR chardies. Love the style. I came off an exceptional 06 Envoy before tasting the KR's. Yes the envoy had the advantage of age but even so it certainly was not embarrased by the KR's. The Coddington, Huntin Hill and Mates are lovely wines. Just wasnt certain with the estate version
for me it is definitely a vintage to buy mates if you want to cellar, big concentration here!
However, that said I love KR chardies. Love the style. I came off an exceptional 06 Envoy before tasting the KR's. Yes the envoy had the advantage of age but even so it certainly was not embarrased by the KR's. The Coddington, Huntin Hill and Mates are lovely wines. Just wasnt certain with the estate version
for me it is definitely a vintage to buy mates if you want to cellar, big concentration here!
Follow me on Vivino for tasting notes Craig Thomson