2020 Rays Road Chardonnay, Kumeu River, Auckland

Quality continues to soar with this Chablis-inspired cuvée from one of New Zealand’s great Chardonnay estates. Subtle aromatics of apple and shortbread; layers of citrus fruit, white flowers and a creamy texture. Clean, restrained, beautifully integreated, fine tannins, opulent fruit with lemon pastille flavours.

"Neat and well-integrated, quite restrained. And already very accessible though with light, fine tannins and quite opulent fruit on the front palate. Sprightly. Lemon-pastille flavour. Very long. Beautifully made."
17pts, by Jancis Robinson

"In 2017, Kumeu River spread its wings to Hawke's Bay, purchasing Rays Road, a site on limestone at 180 meters in altitude. The 2020 Chardonnay Rays Road displays a fuller style, offering breadth and a smooth embrace. There are subtle aromatics - this is Chardonnay, after all - suggesting Golden Delicious apples meeting beeswax and shortbread, and modest concentration and length. The wine's appeal is in its textural, mouth-coating finish."
By Rebecca Gibb MW on April 2021.