Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2020

Rebecca Gibb MW voor Vinous
Possibly the most complete Hunting Hill Chardonnay I've tasted in youth, the 2020 provides a harmonious, melt-in-your-mouth impression. It has breadth and concentration but retains a sense of elegance on the midpalate before finishing with precision and length. Yes, there's a little bit of flint character too, but then Hunting Hill is known to be reductive; give it time. Like Forrest Gump, it runs through a finish line and keeps on going effortlessly. There's no box of chocolates here, though; it's all white nectarine, citrus, white flowers and a touch of smoked nuts.


Bob Campbell MW
97/100 punten
Weighty, textural chardonnay with an array of subtle citrus, oyster-shell and stone fruit flavours. A bold, complex wine with impressive drive and obvious longevity. Chardonnay with gravitas.


James Suckling
96/100 punten
A complex chardonnay with yellow citrus, as well as lemon-curd and creamy tones. Light hazelnut, too. The palate has such all-encompassing, fresh peachy flavors and builds impressively through the long, full finish.


Cameron Douglas MS
96/100 punten
Powerful bouquet with myriad tree and citrus fruits, fine lees and wood layers. Complex, youthful and not yet harmonious, but with huge potential, power and complexity. Crushed yellow and white flowers, some lime-flower moments and core of minerality. Feels warm and salty. Persistent, fresh, youthful, powerful and very charmed. Lovely texture with very fine fruit tannins, medium+ acidity, some lactic moments through the texture. A wonderful wine with time on its side. Very lengthy mineral-laden finish. Best from 2024/2025 through 2030+.


Jancis Robinson
17++/20 punten
Really nervy nose. Truly burgundian, if one is allowed to say this. Great fruit and great tension. Just the job and amazingly vibrant and persistent on the finish. You could drink this already but it will clearly last really well – though winemaker Michael Brajkovich is consistently cautious with his suggested drinking windows; 'will improve with bottle age for four to six years'. A hint of Puligny here.