KUMEU RIVER MATÉ’S CHARDONNAY
In 1990, Maté Brajkovich reworked the land and planted a new vineyard of Chardonnay vines on the site of the original vineyard that he and his family purchased in March 1944. The first grapes from this vineyard were harvested in March 1993, the year following Maté’s death. The resulting wine was released in November 1994 to coincide with celebrations marking the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Brajkovich Family’s arrival at Kumeu River.
The Mate’s Vineyard is usually the most reserved and unyielding when young with the nose being closed, just giving hints of the golden queen peach and mineral notes that we expect from Mate’s Vineyard. On the palate however, the flavour is very concentrated and distinctly richer than the other 2018 wines, but maintaining a perfect balance and freshness that sets this wine apart and makes it wonderful. Although the 2018 is a little more forward than other vintages this is a wine of concentration that will be very long lived.
2018 – 93 Points Robert Parker
2017 – 95 Points Robert Parker
2016 – 94 Points Robert Parker