{"product_id":"kumeu-river-rays-road-chardonnay-2025","title":"Kumeu River Rays Road Chardonnay 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRays Road’s limestone hillside gives Kumeu River Chardonnay a distinctly mineral expression.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Kumeu River Rays Road Chardonnay 2025 is a single-vineyard Chardonnay from the Rays Road site in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The vineyard occupies a north-facing limestone hillside at approximately 180 metres above sea level and is dry-farmed, giving the wine a distinctly mineral and energetic expression. The 2025 growing season culminated in a remarkably dry harvest, allowing the fruit to arrive at the winery clean and concentrated. Grapes were hand harvested and whole-bunch pressed before undergoing indigenous-yeast fermentation entirely in French oak barrels. The combination of limestone soils, elevation and restrained winemaking gives Rays Road a noticeably tauter, more mineral profile than Kumeu River's clay-grown Auckland Chardonnays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine underwent full malolactic fermentation and spent 11 months maturing in barrel, developing texture while retaining bright natural freshness. White peach, apple and citrus sit alongside crushed stone, flint, citrus pith and subtle savoury oak characters. The palate combines creamy texture with vivid acidity, chalky phenolics and a distinctive saline edge, giving considerable depth without sacrificing precision. Gentle notes of cashew, wood smoke and fine oak spice add complexity as the wine broadens across the palate. The finish remains cool, mineral and persistent, with citrus, stone and savoury nuances extending through a long, focused close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOSE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Mineral, citrus-driven and refined\u003cbr\u003eWhite peach, apple, lemon and citrus pith with crushed stone, flint, creamed cashew and restrained smoky oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePALATE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Sleek, concentrated and vibrant\u003cbr\u003eBright citrus and white fruit are carried by vivid acidity, chalky phenolics, creamy texture and a distinctive savoury, saline quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFINISH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Long, cool and mineral\u003cbr\u003ePersistent citrus, crushed stone, gentle wood smoke and saline notes finish with excellent freshness and definition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Aromas of crushed stone and flint with subtle apple and transparency on the nose. Medium-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and a long, tangy finish. Vibrant and vivid chardonnay. Drink now.”\u003c\/em\u003e — James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, 96 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“The 2025 Rays Road Chardonnay comes from the Hawke's Bay vineyard, and the nose leads with creamed cashew, white peach, citrus pith and salted caper brine. The palate is creamy and sleek, with bright acidity and talcy phenolics through the open-weave finish. There's a lot of unspent power here—it feels raw and unbridled somehow. This is impressive and quite different from the other cuvées, though it continues to bear the hallmarks of the Kumeu River house style.”\u003c\/em\u003e — Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate, 94 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrand - Kumeu River\u003cbr\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - New Zealand\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Hawke's Bay\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2025\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.5%\u003cbr\u003eSize - 750ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kumeu","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44386602287191,"sku":"KR-RAYCH-25","price":49.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/edf8e56c-0511-4514-a6e5-ca8755e7c4c4.webp?v=1790822511","url":"https:\/\/kentstreetcellars.com.au\/products\/kumeu-river-rays-road-chardonnay-2025","provider":"Kent Street Cellars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}