Last Thursday Jancis Robinson re-published the article "Top Kiwi v White Burgundy" about the Kumeu River tasting at Farr Vintners in 2015. This was prompted by a thread on the Jancis Robinson website members forum entitled "The Next St Aubin?"
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Top Kiwi v white burgundy - Jancis Robinson
The purpose of the thread was to find new affordable White Burgundy. A number of members on the thread mentioned Kumeu River as an affordable alternative and this prompted Jancis to remind readers the quality of New Zealand Chardonnay as and alternative to White Burgundy.
One of the comments in the thread came from Jacques Thienpont owner of Ch Le Pin in Pomerol who remembered tasting the 2013 Hunting Hill Chardonnay at the Master of Wine Endowment Auction Dinner...
"it stood up very well next to Jabot Chevalier Montrachet Les Demoiselles 2013 - although I don't know the prices, I suspect there is quite a gap!"
A priceless reply came back form Jonathan Reeve (formally of Winesearcher in New Zealand) which sums up the "gap" beautifully.
"Jacques, for one case of the Jadot you could buy TWO cases of the Hunting Hill...and two return flights to Auckland for you and Fiona to collect them from the winery (£360/case vs £2856/case)."
There will be another Kumeu River tasting at Farr Vintners this year in September but this time with a different theme. We will keep you posted.