Kumeu River Mates Chardonnay 2025 750ml

🏆 98 Points – James Suckling

🏆 97 Points – John Caro / Caro's Wines

Kumeu River Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay 2025 is the flagship single-vineyard Chardonnay from Kumeu River and one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded expressions of the variety.

Maté’s Vineyard has a special place in the Brajkovich family story. Originally part of the property purchased by the family in 1944, the vineyard was replanted to Chardonnay by Maté Brajkovich in 1990. Today, it produces a Chardonnay renowned for its exceptional concentration, structure and remarkable ageing potential.

The outstanding 2025 vintage delivers impressive depth and precision, with layers of ripe stone fruit and citrus complemented by subtle hazelnut, mineral and flinty characters. The palate is concentrated yet beautifully controlled, combining fine acidity, seamless texture and elegantly integrated French oak before flowing into a remarkably long, mineral-driven finish.

Hand harvested and whole-bunch pressed, the wine is fermented entirely in French oak barrels using indigenous yeasts, undergoes full malolactic fermentation and spends approximately 11 months maturing in barrel.

Powerful, refined and built to develop beautifully with bottle age, Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay represents Kumeu River at its finest.

Tasting Notes

• Aroma: Ripe stone fruit, citrus, subtle hazelnut and flinty mineral notes

• Palate: Concentrated and layered with fine acidity, elegant oak and beautifully textured fruit

• Finish: Exceptionally long, precise and mineral-driven

• Variety: 100% Chardonnay

• Vintage: 2025