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Kumeu River Wines
Kumeu River is now firmly established as the foremost New World source of fine Chardonnay, oftened likened to the fine white wines produced in Burgundy. Last year saw the introduction of two single vinyard wines, Coddington and Hunting Hill. Stocks of these two wines are rather thin on the ground and arrive in the U.K. in early 2009. I am taking orders for these wines NOW! ( P.O.A.) However, the Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay listed below, has never tasted better. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Kumeu River Village Chardonnay 2007
_________________________________________________________________________________________________ Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2006
_________________________________________________________________________________________________ Kumeu River Estate Pinot Noir
_________________________________________________________________________________________________ Contact Graham and place your order - NOW! | ||
Kumeu River Wines was established in 1944 when Mick and Katé Brajkovich and their son Maté first came to the small country settlement of Kumeu, about 20 km northwest of Auckland City. The family had migrated from Yugoslavia in 1938 and had been working in the far Northern part of New Zealand digging kauri gum. After moving to Henderson, in West Auckland, in the early 1940’s, they worked on vineyards and orchards in the area and saved enough money to buy a property with a small existing vineyard at Kumeu. Mick Brajkovich has elevated this winery to be recognised as one of the finest in a demanding world market, and it is a reputation that is fully justified.
The entry level chardonnay from this highly regarded winery. Lovely restrained stonefruit characters, nectarine and ripe peach balanced by mineral acidity and just a touch of oak. A very 'Chablis-esque' Chardonnay wine but with slightly more fruit. Crisp and dry taste with a frim texture, subtle with a good length. Tasted blind, some people might not think it is a New World wine! 
It would be hard to exaggerate the importance of this famous wine. Kumeu River Chardonnay played a vital role in the renaissance of winemaking in the Auckland region. Kumeu River is one of New Zealand’s great Chardonnays, with a rock solid, prestigious reputation. A distinctive wine with notable power and concentration, it is typically lush, harmonious, and creamy smooth – a sheer delight to drink! This wine is more clearly marked by the oak, but this is not overstated, The oak has that lovely savoury spice of good barrels, with a very slight hint of exotic blossom. Firm, persistant and very classy. Oak still evident on the palette, but beautifully integrated with ripe fruit. 'Very Burgundian'!
Many commentators are convinced that this is going to be THE red grape variety of New Zealand but, of course, only the best wine-makers will be able to master the difficulties and complexities that are inherent in the production of serious Pinot. This is another wine to serve blind to visitors from France: they are unlikely to guess it as a Chambertin but there are plenty of village Geverys at twice this price that aren’t half as good. With earth, red cherry, smoky bacon and a firm acid backbone, of all the wines this is heading towards Burgundy in style.This wine is aged in small oak barrels that gives it an enticing nose of red fruits and vanilla. Frgrantly fresh, possessing a lovely finesse and length. 
