Kumeu River Chardonnays: 2022 in the Spotlight
Kumeu River is one of New Zealand's most famous and lusted after Chardonnay producers, and today I am looking at the 2022 release. A few points of fact before we go on: 1) the 'glossy phenolics' that I speak of is likely due to the cooper choice: Seguin Moreau (30% new), 2) Maté's Vineyard is pronounced 'Mate' (m8) in the video - I am Australian, it is almost impossible to see the word and not say it like that. The correct pronunciation is 'Matty's'. Apologies. Super Chardonnay with a very precise texture and flavour profile from a tiny producer north of Auckland. Enjoy!
Have you been able to get a hold of these 2022'a yet - what did you think?
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1:42 - 2022 Kumeu River Rays Road Chardonnay, 12.5% alc
2:03 - 2022 Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay, 13.5% alc
3:04 - 2022 Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay, 13.5% alc
4:21 - 2022 Kumeu River Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, 13% alc
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Any review you see on my socials ( / erinllarkin , this channel and my website (www.erinlarkin.com.au) are never paid for by wineries or anyone else: the wines are featured on their merits - because they have risen to the top in tastings. If you try the wines I recommend and you like them - good! Because so do I.
Пікірлер: 14
Erin you might want to take a look at Tony Bish wines in Hawkes Bay. He does Chardonnay only and lots of interesting eggs and oak vessels for maturation, lees stirring etc. Rich, complex and long. Thanks for channel.
@erinlarkin
2 ай бұрын
Thanks for the tip! 🙏
Enjoy your videos thoroughly. I've looked at the decanting video twice and am impressing or scaring my wife with the back and forth pouring. The Kumeu River Chardonnays are the first wines where I've watched your video and then sought out the wine(s) and I had success. So I'm sitting on the four Chardonnays now and just tasted the Ray's. What a great experience to taste it along with you and go back and forth reflecting on your notes. Love this wine, which is so completely different from my California experience with Chardonnay. What a pure, savory and long tasting experience.
@erinlarkin
2 ай бұрын
Thanks very much for watching, and for putting faith in me! Hope you enjoyed the wines 🙏
Outstanding wine communication Erin. I was deciding between getting a bit of Hunting Hill or Mate’s! You helped.
@erinlarkin
8 ай бұрын
Thanks Vlad!
Bit of trivia Erin but Mates is pronounced Mar Tays, a tip to the Brajkovich's dalmatian heritage. Love the videos.
@erinlarkin
2 ай бұрын
You’re right! I had to apologise to Michael B when I was over there 🙈 he took it exceptionally well - I don’t think I was the first!
Beautiful wines and prices have headed north fast because it's been very popular with critics and wine channels.
absolutely agreed, not only it does not have to smell and taste like Burgundy, if it does, instantly uninterested. I want to taste wines that are unique to that specific place. using Chardonnay is already a major compromise to start with for the uniqueness but hey, we got used to it by now😅
when I was drinking Kumeu River in the 80s (I went to school with Mate's son), they were doing malolactic. You didn't mention that. Are they no longer making buttery chardonnays?
❤blessings from Hawkes Bay, E L❤ Syrah or Merlot Cab as our 'regional hero' in your opinion?❤
@erinlarkin
10 ай бұрын
Depends on the vineyard/maker. But both compelling - although I’d err toward Cabernet Merlot, over Merlot Cabernet. Will be there in November!
@bver1149
10 ай бұрын
@@erinlarkin looking forward to greeting / seeing you E L. Will visit be THAT kind, or purely personal / incognito ?