98/100 Cameron Douglas MS
White Peach × Citrus Pith × Fine Lees
🌿Sustainable Wine🌿
 
【Kumeu River】
After arriving in New Zealand in 1938, Dalmatian-born Maté Brajkovich purchased a small vineyard with his family in 1944, near the settlement of Kumeu, northwest of Auckland. When his son Michael took over winemaking in 1982, the potential of Kumeu River began to be fully realised. Today, the family estate is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading white wine producers, particularly renowned for its internationally acclaimed Chardonnays.

Maté’s Vineyard occupies the historic site purchased by the Brajkovich family in 1944. Maté replanted the vineyard with Chardonnay in 1990, and the first wine was produced from the 1993 harvest. It has since become the estate’s most powerful, concentrated and age-worthy expression of Chardonnay.

The 2025 Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay is taut, focused and still tightly coiled in its youth. Ripe white peach and citrus pith are layered with fine lees, subtle wood spice and a distinctly mineral freshness. The palate carries remarkable concentration and power, yet remains seamless and precise, with fine phenolic texture providing structure and exceptional length.

More approachable on release than many previous vintages, this is nevertheless a Chardonnay built to evolve. Its generous fruit, finely integrated oak and firm underlying structure should reveal increasing complexity and richness with careful cellaring.
 
 
Chardonnay from Kumeu
Vintage: 2025
Volume: 750ml