2022 Kumeu River “Hunting Hill” Chardonnay, Kumeu, New Zealand

ABOUT THIS WINE

The 2022 Chardonnay Hunting Hill is an impressive, focused style. It has a sense of energy, being almost buoyant with the movement of a skimming stone across your palate. There’s a powerful core of fruit here and it has plenty of substance within its no-more-than medium-bodied core before kerpow! It fires home with an almost spicy kick. Clever oak use, reminiscent of toasted nuts, meets restrained flavors of lemon and lime bitter and nectarine fruit. A wine that’s still in its cocoon so give it time.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Founded in 1944 by Mick Brajkovich, wife Kat and son Mat, Kumeu River was one of the early pioneers in Auckland, New Zealand, that helped to establish its reputation as a world-class wine region. Still family owned and run, Kumeu River continues to pioneer new frontiers: winemaker Michael Brajkovich became New Zealands first member of the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine, London, and has been testing and championing screw cap closures for close to 20 years.