{"product_id":"kumeu-river-estate-chardonnay-2025","title":"Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSix Kumeu vineyards come together in Kumeu River’s most clonally diverse Chardonnay.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2025 is a benchmark New Zealand Chardonnay produced from selected fruit sourced across six vineyard sites around Kumeu in the Auckland wine region. These sites are closely managed by the Brajkovich family, with only the best parcels selected for the Estate bottling. The 2025 growing season was notably dry, producing clean, concentrated fruit with excellent natural freshness. This is Kumeu River's most clonally diverse Chardonnay blend, bringing together different sites to create greater complexity and balance. The resulting wine combines ripe orchard and stone fruit with the firm acidity and mineral structure characteristic of the estate's Chardonnay style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grapes were hand harvested and whole-bunch pressed before undergoing indigenous-yeast fermentation entirely in French oak barrels, with approximately 20% new oak. Full malolactic fermentation adds texture and breadth, while 11 months of barrel maturation allows the fruit, lees and oak components to integrate. White peach, yellow peach, quince and citrus are complemented by white flowers, savoury herbs, subtle wood smoke and delicate baking spice. The palate is concentrated yet energetic, with firm acidity providing tension beneath the ripe fruit and creamy texture. Chalky, saline and lightly smoky nuances carry through a long and precise finish, giving the wine both immediate appeal and excellent potential for further bottle development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOSE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Aromatic, ripe and finely smoky\u003cbr\u003eWhite peach, yellow peach, orchard blossom, quince and white flowers with subtle sourdough, wood smoke and savoury herbal notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePALATE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Concentrated, fresh and textural\u003cbr\u003eRipe orchard and stone fruit are balanced by brisk acidity, creamy texture, gentle oak spice and a distinct saline, chalky character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFINISH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Long, precise and mineral\u003cbr\u003eCitrus, peach, fine smoke and chalky mineral notes persist through a fresh, structured and focused finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Gee, this is a very strong vintage for this wine. It’s a ripper.”\u003c\/em\u003e — Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, 95 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Hailing from the exceptional 2025 growing season, the 2025 Estate Chardonnay leads initially with toasty\/pencilly oak notes; however, the fruit on the palate is where the quality of the vintage is on show. Here we have yellow peach, sea salt, toasted sage leaf (even bay), quince, fig and white flowers. The acidity is prodigious, and this serves as a prop in the middle of the palate, providing real tension and fierceness to the otherwise ripe fruit. This is a very good wine, and the length through the finish is impressive.”\u003c\/em\u003e — Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate, 93 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Very aromatic, with white peaches and orchard blossom lifted by a touch of sourdough and wet clay. Medium-bodied, with brisk acidity setting the tone, subtle and delicate in feel with crisp freshness running through to a long, precise finish. Drink or hold.”\u003c\/em\u003e — Andrii Stetsiuk, JamesSuckling.com, 94 Points\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrand - Kumeu River\u003cbr\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - New Zealand\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Auckland\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2025\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.6%\u003cbr\u003eSize - 750ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kumeu","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44386604646487,"sku":"KR-ESTCH-25","price":49.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/ab62a7f5-2e99-4413-a184-775163548293.webp?v=1790822904","url":"https:\/\/kentstreetcellars.com.au\/products\/kumeu-river-estate-chardonnay-2025","provider":"Kent Street Cellars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}