Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay 2024

James Suckling, 97/100 punten
"A complex and whole chardonnay with sliced apples, flint. limes and stones on the nose and palate. It’s medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and a long and complete aftertaste. Drink or hold."

Wine Front, 95+/100 punten
"From 30 year old vines owned by Tim and Angela Coddington, hence the name. This is the wine for people who are into a more modern (Antipodean) style, while the Hunting Hill leans towards a more glossy Burgundy richness. White peach and nectarine, lime rind, aniseed, a slight matchstick character with light cinnamon and cedar oak. It’s energetic and zesty, lots of flint and chalkiness to texture, a youthful juiciness to fruit, though gee it has some energy and the finish is crisp and very long. Cool and tight, a little lemon peel in the aftertaste. Delightful."

Huon Hooke, 95/100 punten
"Fresh green herb aromas some lemon verbena, lime and lemon, subtle smokiness, the palate delicate and refined, subtle yet with good intensity. A fine wine, less powerful than the Hunting Hill, with understated depths and real grace."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94-96 punten
"The 2024 Coddington Chardonnay is alive on the palate with preserved lemon rind, tendrils of crushed shells and layers of brine. It is electric, in its way. There are salted and crushed nuts on the middle palate and length, which uncoils through the finish that allows a second and third look at the detail inherent within. This is very exciting and also creamy. It was tasted as a tank sample prior to filtration and bottling."

Jancis Robinson MW, 17/20 punten
"From a 1.8-ha vineyard planted in 1994. Hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed before 100% spontaneous barrel ferment in French oak with 100% malo (25% new French oak). 11 months' ageing in barrel. Lease extension has been negotiated but only annual so they don't invest in new plantings here. Always one of the last vineyards to pick because of leafroll virus, like Maté's. Heat trap gives stone-fruit character, says Michael B. Barrels from a single heavy-toasting cooper. Half of the usual crop and sold out fast in NZ. Mid straw-gold. Rich, peachy nose and softer than most of the Kumeu bottlings with light oak influence. Big and bold. A real undertow of ripeness. Even a little heat."