{"product_id":"kumeu-river-hunting-hill-chardonnay-2024","title":"Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eKumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2024 is a standout single-vineyard Chardonnay from one of New Zealand’s most respected white-wine producers. Sourced from the prized Hunting Hill vineyard, it combines concentration, purity, and mineral drive in a style that has helped define Kumeu River’s international reputation. This is a serious, cellar-worthy Chardonnay with both elegance and depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, it shows focused, layered fruit rather than overt richness, with notes of lemon, lime, white flowers, chalk, and a subtle saline edge. The nose is initially restrained in its youth, but it opens to reveal citrus brightness, stony minerality, and hints of spice.\n\nThe palate is concentrated and finely structured, with salt-kissed citrus, stella anise, fennel, and a gentle vanilla creaminess from oak maturation. The finish is long, precise, and mineral, with a sense of tension and depth that suggests excellent aging potential; it should really begin to show its full complexity after around 7–8 years in bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHunting Hill is a high-altitude, south-west-facing vineyard positioned above Maté’s Vineyard in the Kumeu region of Auckland. Its heavy clay soils over sandstone, with ironpan beneath the surface, contribute to the wine’s distinctive mineral character, while the maritime climate supports slow, measured ripening and natural freshness.\n\nThe 2024 vintage saw low yields, which concentrated the fruit and enhanced intensity. Grapes were hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed to preserve finesse, then fermented with natural yeast in French oak barrels. The wine underwent 100% malolactic fermentation and matured in oak for about 11 months, building texture and complexity while keeping the vineyard character in focus.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Chardonnay is a natural match for shellfish, luxurious risottos, creamy pasta dishes, and grilled chicken. Serve it slightly chilled, ideally around 10–12°C, and consider decanting briefly if opening it young, as a little air can help reveal its aromatic detail and layered texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKumeu River is one of New Zealand’s benchmark Chardonnay producers, with a long-standing reputation for crafting wines of precision, site expression, and remarkable aging ability. Based in Auckland’s Kumeu region, the winery has helped elevate New Zealand Chardonnay on the world stage and is widely admired for its consistently high-quality single-vineyard wines. Hunting Hill is among its most distinctive and celebrated sites.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kumeu River","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54252743360849,"sku":"FW-9735","price":53.4,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/Produkt-Grid_d97c8041-48d9-4de2-907f-084e57987c78.png?v=1783446490","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/kumeu-river-hunting-hill-chardonnay-2024","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}