2023 Kumeu River Mate's Chardonnay

Brand	Kumeu River
Region	Kumeu
Varietal	Chardonnay
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	12.5%
Vintage	2023
Country	New Zealand
Vegan
Vegetarian

Mate (pronounced matty) was the patriarch of the Brajkovich family and he reworked this vineyard in 1990, two years before his sad passing. The first grapes were harvested and in 1994 the first Mate's Vineyard wine was released on the 50th anniversary of the family's arrival in Kumeu. It has the rare distinction of being the only Kumeu River vineyard still planted in Mendoza clone and each year it makes some of the country's most thrilling and long-lived Chardonnay. Testament to its quality is the fact the Mate’s Vineyard regularly beats high-end Meursault ten times its price in international blind tastings. Very impressive on release, but really comes into its own at at least ten years of cellar aging.

Distinctly smoky and flinty on the nose, with nougat, peach, floral and spice notes.

Complex, weighty and even slightly briny on the palate, with toasty flavours and clean, soft acid framing the creamy palate, this Chardonnay calls for food in its youth and reverence in its maturity. A very special wine dedicated to a very special man - sells out every year so get your six pack promptly. It is famous for cellaring particularly well too – ten years plus with ease.