Kumeu River, Rays Road Chardonnay, 2024
Kumeu River, Rays Road Chardonnay, 2024
- 75cl
- White Still
- Chardonnay
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2039
"I can't think of a Chardonnay producer anywhere that could match that line-up, Burgundy included"
Tim Atkin MW
Rays Road is Kumeu River's newest vineyard located in Hawke's Bay. Situated on a limestone hillside at 180 meters altitude with a northerly aspect, this site is dry-farmed to produce high-quality grapes for the Rays Road label under the Kumeu River name.
The Chardonnay is hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed, and fermented with wild yeast in seasoned French oak barrels, resulting in a wine that is zesty and fragrant, with a mineral-driven complexity.
Kumeu River has built a global reputation for producing some of the finest Chardonnays in the Southern Hemisphere, often compared to top white Burgundy. Founded in the 1940s by the Brajkovich family, the estate remains family-owned and run today, with winemaker Michael Brajkovich MW leading the charge. Their philosophy is centred on site expression and balance, crafting wines that age gracefully while remaining approachable in their youth.
What the critics say:
"The 2024 Rays Road Chardonnay leads with a spicy, almost exotic nose, while the palate strides in smooth, sleek movements. This is creamy and a little nutty, and there are wet limestone notes in the mouth, alongside yellow citrus and layers of dried herbs, cracked fennel seeds, ginger root and fruit flavors. A lovely wine, it's weighted on the back palate and long through the finish. I tasted this as a tank sample prior to filtration and bottling. The Ray's Road vineyard is on a limestone base and has been significantly worked and replanted since the Kumeu River purchase in 2021."
"Mid to deep greenish gold. Toasty and glamorous on the nose. They aim to make a Chablis style because it's all limestone so very lively and tense. I'd say the acidity isn't as pronounced as a typical Chablis. Real grip on the palate. Very long with lots of tension."
OUR GROWERS
Kumeu River
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