Recent Offers
2021 Kumeu River
'I have never seen a run of vintages of this quality before'
Michael Brajkovich on his 40th vintage
We are thrilled to bring you the latest 2021 vintage release from New Zealand’s Kumeu River.
Michael Brajkovich’s Chardonnays regularly match or even beat Premier, even Grand Cru, bottlings from leading Burgundy growers. Indeed, in a blind tasting by Jancis Robinson a few years ago Kumeu River ‘comprehensively knocked spots off some of the finest white burgundies.’
An early and relatively cool and dry 2021 vintage allowed the grapes to ripen slowly producing excellent fruit aromas and intense flavours. Frost earlier in the season lowered yields by 30-40% but quality is exceptional.
We are delighted to be offering five new releases: Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay is a blend of the best grapes from several vineyards. Delicious now it will age well too.
Rays Road is on a north facing limestone hillside in Hawkes Bay just outside Auckland. A vineyard which produces vibrant and intense Chardonnays, quality here has never been better.
Coddington, named after the previous owners of the vineyard, produces richly layered wines with lovely freshness.
From a site which over looks Mate’s Vineyard, the magnificent Hunting Hill is ‘an absolute classic example of how great Chardonnay can be’ says the estate.
Lastly, and by no means least, the highly sought-after Mate’s Vineyard is powerful and elegant with superb ageing potential. A wine which has been compared to Corton-Charlemagne, the 2021 is exceptional.
Undoubtedly another wonderful vintage, this is a brilliant set of releases. Please contact us as soon as possible to request an allocation.
All these wines are available in extremely limited quantities.
Purchase In Bond (ex duty & VAT)
2021 Estate Chardonnay
£89 per 6 bottle case in bond
Kumeu River Chardonnay is drawn from six different vineyard sites in the Kumeu region. Only the best grapes from these vineyards are selected for this label. Showing lemons and limes on the nose with a touch of spice, the palate is impressively dense and rich with refreshing stone fruits. Elegantly balanced, with a taut mineral freshness, this is another classic rendition.
2021 Ray’s Road Chardonnay
£92 per 6 bottle case in bond
Rays Road is Kumeu River’s new vineyard site in Hawkes Bay. This limestone hillside is at 180 m altitude and has a northerly aspect. Dry-farmed, hand-harvested and whole bunch pressed, it is fermented with wild yeast in older French Oak barrels. A delicate and refined Chardonnay with a floral bouquet, the 2021 has a lovely mineral freshness with chalky textures which balance bright pear and sweet citrus notes. This is a terrific addition to the range.
2021 Coddington Chardonnay
£130 per 6 bottle case in bond
A little restrained at first on the nose, the palate is zesty and fragrant with notes of orchard apples and limes and a subtle peachy character. Silky textured and elegant, Coddington is the more opulent of the single vineyard wines but recent vintages have shown real freshness and wonderful length.
2021 Hunting Hill Chardonnay
£176 per 6 bottle case in bond
Occupying the slope overlooking Maté’s Vineyard, Hunting Hill was replanted in 2000 and is now even better than before, giving beautifully ripe fruit with a distinctive mineral quality. Showing wonderful definition and length, the 2021 has a floral bouquet with a piercing flinty note leading to a tightly coiled palate with crushed citrus fruits. The 2021 will benefit from a few years in bottle
2021 Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay
£210 per 6 bottle case in bond
Named after Maté Brajkovich, who planted a new vineyard on the site in 1990, the exceptional 2021 has an enticing bouquet of white peaches and smoky citrus fruits. Enveloping stone fruits on the palate are balanced by a lively mineral character which leads to an impressively long finish. An outstanding wine, there is immense potential here.
Enquire About Availability
To enquire about purchasing, please fill in the Enquiry Form below, contact James Ceppi di Lecco
([email protected]), or call our office at +44 (0) 20 7232 5450