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Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Kumeu River (NZ) Chardonnays wine tasting: July 19

 The Date and Time: Thursday, July 19, 2012  10:30AM to Noon
The Event: a tasting of the Chardonnays of Kumeu River Wines of New
Zealand, with Michael Brajkovich, MW, responsible for the winemaking at
his family's winery.
The Venue: LCBO Scrivener Square
The Target Audience: wine writers
The Availability/Catalogue: all the latest release chardonnays are in
Vintages. Kumeu River is repped by Oenophilia Connexion in Ontario.
The Quote/Background: The winery has about 85 hectares, and makes 25K
total cases. 40% is exported, mostly to the UK, Canada and Australia.
Over half of the production is in chardonnay; they also produce pinot
grigio and pinot noir. Only the chardonnays have been available in
Ontario. All wines are made with wild yeasts, ML is used, and most
wines are lightly filtered. The style is Burgundian cool climate with
French clones and French oak.
The Wines: We tried seven wines, five available (one at SAQ) plus two
library wines. The current vintage available for sale for most wines is
2008 (a riper vintages, more time on lees, higher acidity).
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Kumeu River Chardonnay Mate's Vineyard 2008, +204032 Vintages, $44.95.
-Kumeu River Chardonnay Hunting Hill 2008, at SAQ, submitted to LCBO,
about $37 (1K cases produced).
-Kumeu River Chardonnay Coddington 2008, at SAQ (2009 coming to LCBO in
2013 under $40) (600 cases produced)
 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price
Rating terms):
-Kumeu River Village Chardonnay 2008, +247171, $18.95 (8K cases
produced)
-Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2008, +640383, $34.95 (5K cases
produced)
-Kumeu River Chardonnay Hunting Hill 2007
-Kumeu River Chardonnay Mate's Vineyard 2007
 
The Food: bread and water
The Contact Person: marthaharrison@sympatico.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade):
87.

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