It’s about this time each year that Kumeu River release their new vintage wines.

Notes from the KR website report on the vintage….’The excellent 2022 vintage came on the heels of three others, in a magnificent chain of four superb quality harvests. The winter of 2021 was relatively mild, but quite wet, so the soil was well hydrated. Spring came early, and fortunately we managed to avoid any frost damage. The spring growth was lush and rapid, requiring even more careful leaf removal from around the fruiting zone. Flowering was ahead of usual, indicating another early harvest.

January was quite dry and allowed for excellent ripening conditions, but early February brought rain and high humidity over Waitangi weekend, but that soon cleared to allow us to start picking in sunshine 2 days later. About that time there was also the threat of Cyclone Dovi bearing down on us from the Northwest. Fortunately for us, the cyclone sailed past Auckland well to the west, and we also managed to avoid any significant rainfall in its wake.’

At the tasting there were two brothers visiting from the USA (Florida) on a self drive tour of New Zealand vineyards and wineries. These two fellas are in the video - below.

It was also great to have the Matriarch of the Brajkovich family Melba stop by as well as Marijana, Paul and Michael.

2022 Rays Road Chard 2022 There is marked quality and purity in the bouquet of this wine since I tasted the previous 2021 vintage. There's a finesse and purity of fruit with a gentle sweetness and complexity from barrel then aromas and flavours of stone clay soil suggestions. White fleshed stone fruits and red apple flesh, some grapefruit and (no new barrel) lemon highlights. Satin silk texture, med+ acid line delicious. 93 Points

Estate Chardonnay 2022 Very impressive bouquet of purity, ripeness and completeness. Aromas and flavours of ripe white fleshed fruits and citrus, layers of gentle spices and complexity from barrel work. There's a fine lees quality layering in fine mid palate tannins and mouthfeel. A complete wine ready to drink from 2024 through 2029 93 Points

Coddington Chardonnay 2022 Always a favourite of mine and this ‘22 example is no different. A little closed, youthful and new. That said there's complexity and finesse as the wine opens out in glass, flavours and textures of grapefruit and fresh apple, cashew nut and spice layers from barrel, but nothing overdone. A wine of finesse and complexity, a Meursault moment with a silky and satin cream texture. Super fine tannins. A beautiful wine. 96 Points

Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2022 Complex and alluring bouquet, layers of spice and mineral, core white fleshed fruits and lees mineral complexities. As the wine opens out in glass and warms a little, the mouthfeel, fruit and floral tones blossom and expand. Fantastic texture and length, persistent mouthfeel, a cashew nut butter note, barrel spice moments and synergies from the collection of attributes and inputs. Lengthy, taut and complex. A wine for the cellar still. Best from 2025 through 2035+. 97 Points

Mate's Chardonnay 2022 This wine celebrates the 30th vintage of Mate's wine. Purity and freshness, complexity and finesse. Floral and mineral, cashew and sweet spice moments. Complexities from on the palate with textures of acidity against the citrus fruit and sweet pith flavours, white fleshed fruits and a touch of grape fruit peel. Pure and silky, A fabulous wine, exciting and textured, lengthy and persistent. An exciting opportunity. 98 Points

Other Wines tasted

Rays Road Chardonnay 2020 A distinctive and enticing bouquet of ripe red berries, cherry and red apple, some floral notes of violets then red plum layers. Baking spices of oak layer in gently. Dry, moderate tannins from oak and fruit, medium+ acid line. Well made, lengthy and ready - ish. best from 2025 through 2032+ 93 Points

Hunting Hill Pinot Noir 2020 There's no mistaking the complexity and richness of variety, vintage and winemaking. Aromas and flavours of ripe red berry fruits, baked nut, a touch of reductive youthful vibrato, a fine dried herb notes and complexity from both soil, fruit and winemaking.. At the core of this wine on the palate is the fresh, bright purity of fruit. Tannins and polish and finesse, a brightness and fine mouthfeel, acidity med+, length and complexity excellent. 2025 through 2035. 94 Points

Village Pinot Noir 2022 Bright, fresh, fruity, varietal, even. P=N with a mix of cherry and ripe strawberry fruit flavours, noticeable tannins, there’s' a tautness and youthful grip. Acidity M+. Well made with excellent drinking from 2023 through 2027. 80% ish of the fruit originates from Hawkes Bay - Rays Road, the rest from Auckland. No oak. 92 Points

Kumeu River Chardonnays 2022 Release