Kumeu River Rays Road Pinot Noir 2022

Kumeu River Rays Road Pinot Noir 2022 is the estate’s cooler-climate, single-vineyard expression of Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir—more mineral, focused and Burgundy-inspired than its warmer-site counterpart, Hunting Hill. From the family’s elevated Rays Road Vineyard, this limited wine reflects Kumeu River’s successful expansion beyond its famous Auckland Chardonnay and showcases the Brajkovich family’s growing mastery of New Zealand Pinot Noir.

Tasting Notes
Bright ruby in colour, the wine opens with aromas of ripe cherries and red berries, layered with delicate spice, floral nuances and a subtle suggestion of dried leaves. The overall impression is cool, refined and quietly complex. Silky and elegant on the palate, it combines vibrant red fruit with impressive concentration. Fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins provide definition, while the limestone soils lend a distinctive chalky, mineral edge. The finish is long, precise and refreshing. Already highly approachable, the 2022 has the structure and intensity to develop further bottle complexity over the next several years.

Production
Rays Road Vineyard lies at approximately 200 metres above sea level in Hawke’s Bay, where its cooler conditions and limestone subsoil produce particularly refined and mineral-driven Pinot Noir. The vines include newer Dijon clones from Burgundy, which contribute further precision and depth. Grapes are hand-harvested, 100% destemmed and fermented with naturally occurring yeasts. Following malolactic fermentation, the wine is matured in French oak barrels, only 10% of which are new, allowing the fruit and terroir to remain at the forefront.

Food & Serving
Serve lightly cool at 14–16°C. Its freshness and fine tannins make it an excellent partner for roast duck, grilled or roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, mushroom dishes and richly flavoured vegetarian cuisine. It can be enjoyed directly after opening, although 30–45 minutes in a decanter will help reveal its aromatic detail and mineral character.

Producer
Kumeu River was established by the Brajkovich family, Croatian immigrants who began making wine in Kumeu in 1944. Today, under the guidance of Michael Brajkovich MW and the wider family, the estate is internationally recognised for producing some of New Zealand’s finest Chardonnay. Rays Road Pinot Noir comes from the family’s vineyard in Hawke’s Bay and demonstrates the estate’s ability to translate distinct sites into wines of elegance, precision and individuality.

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