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Kumeu River, Chardonnay Ray's Road, 2024

White Wine from New Zealand, New Zealand
by Kumeu River
$53.99
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Chablis-esque Chardonnay from New Zealand's first Master of Wine—Michael Brajkovich transformed his family's 60-year-old estate into one of the Southern Hemisphere's finest Chardonnay producers. Ray's Road comes from a limestone hillside in Hawke's Bay at 180 meters elevation, a distinct departure from Kumeu's clay soils near Auckland. The 2024 shows concentrated flavors from yields cut to half normal. Hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed, wild fermented in seasoned French oak. Peach generosity meets wet limestone minerality, citrus, fennel, and ginger. Zesty and flinty with real structure.Different terroir from Ultramarine's cult portfolio. Pure Chardonnay, Michael Mara Vineyard. Compare with Heintz to see how site shapes wine.

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Robert Parker

94 points

"The 2024 Rays Road Chardonnay leads with a spicy, almost exotic nose, while the palate strides in smooth, sleek movements. This is creamy and a little nutty, and there are wet limestone notes in the mouth, alongside yellow citrus and layers of dried herbs, cracked fennel seeds, ginger root and fruit flavors. A lovely wine, it's weighted on the back palate and long through the finish. I tasted this as a tank sample prior to filtration and bottling. The Ray's Road vineyard is on a limestone base and has been significantly worked and replanted since the Kumeu River purchase in 2021." —Erin Larkin

More about Kumeu River

The Brajkovich family has been at the helm of New Zealand Chardonnay excellence since 1944. Their single-vineyard bottlings aren't just local benchmarks—they've earned consecutive spots in Wine Spectator's global Top 100. Michael Brajkovich, New Zealand's first Master of Wine, runs the show with uncompromising precision.

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Chardonnay

  • Vintage

    2024

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Sustainable

  • Style

    Crisp , Elegant

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Medium Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

What has to say about this wine:

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Lobster bisque, roasted chicken, herb-roasted vegetables

Tasting Profile

Stone fruit, citrus, and oak with mineral edge. Full-bodied with bright acidity, creamy mouthfeel, and a dry finish.

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