KUMEU RIVER RAYS ROAD CHARDONNAY 2023
| Grape: | Chardonnay |
| Vineyard: | Kumeu River Rays Road |
| Origin: | Hawkes Bay, NZ |
| Vintage: | 2023 |
| ABV%: | 12.8% |
| Colour: | Pale golden yellow |
| Aromas: | Limestone flintiness and citrus notes |
| Flavours: | Zesty, fragrant with mineral complexity |
Winemakers Highlights
Hand harvested
Whole-bunch pressed
Indigenous yeast fermentation
100% barrel fermentation
French Oak
100% malo-lactic fermentation
11 months maturation in barrel
Rays Road is Kumeu River’s vineyard site in Hawkes Bay that was purchased in 2017. This limestone hillside is at 180 m altitude, with a northerly aspect. It is dry-farmed to yield high quality grapes for wine under the Rays Road name for our Kumeu River label. This Chardonnay was hand-harvested, whole bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeast in older French Oak barrels to give a wine that is zesty and fragrant, with mineral complexity that is very true to its site.
The 2023 vintage in Hawkes Bay was affected by cyclone Gabrielle and Rays Road was at least lucky to be at 180 meters elevation to avoid any flooding. The vintage was still tricky however with cooler temperatures and less ripeness that usual. Having said that we believe the 2023 Rays Road Chardonnay is the finest we have made from this vineyard to date. Immediately from the aroma we see the limestone flintiness and citrus which this vineyard is becoming known for. The
palate is beautifully concentrated and has a density that we have not previously seen. Texturally beautify and long this wine is delicious now but we are excited to see the effect of bottle age over the next 5- 7 years.