KUMEU VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2021 REGULARLY $24.99 JAMES SUCKLING 91 POINTS

Produced from hand harvested grapes grown in Kumeu and Hawkes Bay this wine was fermented 81% in old French oak barriques, and 19% in stainless steel tanks. The barrel fermentation provides some richness but very little oak influence. Combined with the tank fermentation, this allows the vibrant fruit to show through beautifully with lively lime and lemon aromas and a flinty, mineral edginess with hints of fig and white peach.

The weighty mid-palate also shows peachy ripeness along with crisp acid minerality that gives the wine a refreshing cleansing quality. This wine is delightful as an aperitif, and even better to drink with fish and shellfish.