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Kumeu River, Ray's Road Pinot Noir, 2020

Red Wine from New Zealand, New Zealand
by Kumeu River
$43.99
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Kumeu River is famous for benchmark New Zealand Chardonnay, but the Brajkovich family had bigger ideas when they bought the Ray's Road vineyard in Hawke's Bay outright in 2017. This is their only single-vineyard Pinot Noir, off a limestone-rich site originally planted as a joint venture that included a Sancerre grower. The result is bright and fragrant, with ripe cherry, a dry-leaf savory edge, and a distinctive limestone cut running underneath. It's a fresher, more detailed style of Pinot than the New Zealand stereotype. Drinking well now. Lovely with food or on its own.

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Antonio Galloni

89 points

"If you're looking for a smoky, distinctively savory Pinot Noir, look no further than the 2020 Rays Road. It's all smoked game and wild herbs with a bit of grunt. It's a mid-weight style with the impression of up and at 'em punch on the finish. And yet, it displays a serious chalky texture, likely related to its limestone origins, that draws it out. This has real character and potential and can be enjoyed now with game or duck or it has the stuffing to develop over 5-8 years." —Rebecca Gibb MW

Robert Parker

91 points

"The 2020 Ray's Road Pinot Noir is composed of clones MV6 Abel and 115 from the better parts of this vineyard in Hawke's Bay. It was destemmed, crushed, fermented in tanks and subjected to remontage rather than pigéage. It was fermented using wild yeast and moved to oak (10% to 15% new) for 11-12 months maturation. On the nose, there is black pepper, cherry, balsamic poached plum, a hint of dark chocolate, oyster shell, crushed rocks and a hint of bone broth and red miso. The tannins through the finish are chalky and grippy. I love the texture, but I'd probably want to see this decanted to allow it to open up a little through the fruit profile. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap." —Erin Larkin

Wine Enthusiast

93 points

"Tart cherries and raspberries burst forth, flanked by a potpourri dish of dried flowers, a sprig of thyme, and a cardamom pod or two. It's settled into itself nicely, the fruit less fresh, more liquored, with sappy tannins and crispy acidity. This bottling shows the restraint and layers so evident in this producer's more famed Chardonnays, with distinctive Hawke's Bay flare. Drink now through 2028." —Christina Pickard

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

    Pinot Noir

  • Vintage

    2020

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Sustainable

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Light Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

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Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Roast duck, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, or herb-roasted chicken.

Tasting Profile

Dry, medium-bodied, with ripe cherry, dried herbs and a limestone-edged freshness; supple and detailed.

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