Kumeu River Rays Road Chardonnay 2024

Kumeu River Rays Road Chardonnay 2024 is a finely judged Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay that combines elegance, precision and striking mineral character. Sourced from a sunny, limestone-rich slope, it brings a cool-climate feel with a style that nods to some of the best French Chardonnay regions, while still expressing a distinctly New Zealand identity.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, it shows a bright, refined profile with a polished texture and excellent tension. The nose opens with citrus, white flowers and ripe pear, layered with subtle spice and a delicate nutty note from élevage in older oak. On the palate, the wine is creamy yet fresh, delivering flavours of yellow stone fruit, ginger and dried herbs, all carried by vivid acidity and a chalky limestone minerality. It finishes long, clean and precise, with enough structure to reward short- to medium-term cellaring, and likely further complexity over the next few years.

Production
Rays Road comes from a sun-drenched, limestone-driven slope in Hawke’s Bay, where the vineyard’s geology plays a key role in the wine’s mineral line and freshness. The grapes are harvested carefully by hand, then pressed and fermented with wild yeasts before the wine spends 11 months maturing in used French oak barrels, a regimen that adds texture without overwhelming the fruit.

Food & Serving
This Chardonnay is an excellent match for shellfish, lightly cream-based pasta dishes, grilled chicken and richer risotto preparations. Serve it chilled, ideally around 10-12°C, and consider a brief decant only if you want to open up its aromas more quickly, though it is not strictly necessary.

Producer
Kumeu River is one of New Zealand’s most respected Chardonnay specialists, known for producing wines of precision, balance and remarkable ageing potential. The estate has built a strong reputation both at home and internationally, with a style that consistently highlights purity, texture and site expression, making it a benchmark producer in Hawke’s Bay and beyond.

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