2023
Hunting Hill Chardonnay
2023
Hunting Hill Chardonnay
Hunting Hill is a vineyard that was first planted in 1982 and became a significant part of the original Kumeu River Chardonnay blend. Occupying the slope overlooking Maté’s Vineyard, it has always contributed lovely ripe and rich fruit to the Estate Chardonnay. Hunting Hill was replanted in 2000 and is now even better than before, giving beautifully ripe fruit with a distinctive, mealy minerality.
Winemaker's Notes
The 2023 vintage in Hunting Hill was both lighter in ripeness and also lower in yield. The reduction in yield has made for quite a textural Hunting Hill. Even though 2023 was a lighter year, Hunting Hill is still very recognisable for its fragrance of lemon/lime blossom. The palate is silky and textural with the distinctive lemon drop on the finish. This is a beautifully balanced Hunting Hill that even though approachable now will definitely benefit from bottle age of 5 – 8 years.
Vinification
Hand harvested
Whole-bunch pressed
Indigenous yeast fermentation
100% barrel fermentation
French Oak
100% malo-lactic fermentation
11 months maturation in barrel
12.8% vol.
Drink with
- Seafood
- Pasta
- Chicken
- Risotto
Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay
"Aromas of apples, white peaches and steel with hints of lemongrass, fresh basil, flint and white flowers. Medium- to full-bodied with a tight and dense center palate and a crunchy and flavorful finish. Energetic acidity. So fresh yet dense at the same time." - James Suckling, 96 Points
