Kumeu River Rays Road Chardonnay, 2022

Rays Road is Kumeu's newest estate in Hawkes Bay, a slightly cooler area in New Zealand. This Chardonnay has distinct layers of flavour, it has ripe pear and a touch of exotic fruit, it has amazing mouthfeel which is creamy while still being refreshing. It's time in oak gives it a very subtle spice character, a fabulously complex wine that as Jancis Robinson has said could very much stand its ground against top Burgundies!

Kumeu River is a family run estate owned by the Brajkovich's, established in 1944. Their head wine maker Michael Brajkovich was the first person in New Zealand to achieve their Master of Wine certification (which is no mean feat!). The Brajkovichs have played a key role in the international recognition of New Zealand wine as a quality producing country, their Chardonnays in particular have gained world class recognition and have been known to beat the best in Burgundy.