97 points James Suckling: "Very steely and floral, with brightness and impressive aromas of honeysuckle, lemongrass and just a touch of cream. Medium- to full-bodied with layered and creamy phenolics that give a lovely, almost velvety texture to the wine, and then the end is so crisp and minerally. Driven at the end. Needs time to come together. This will be so complex in three to four years. Best after 2027. (6/16/24)"
95 points Jane Skilton, MW (Inside Burgundy): "More reticent than the other wines on the nose but the richness and density come through on the palate. The Mendoza clone fruit really shines this year, the small berries giving and intensity and concentration. This is the 31st vintage of Matés and Brajkovich is committed to treasure the vines, even though ever present leaf-roll virus remains. Enticing and fine boned with a surprisingly lengthy finish. (5/5/24)"
94 points Erin Larkin (Wine Advocate): "The 2023 Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay is complete; all flavor points and spice characteristics are present and accounted for, albeit restrained and even a little muted. The low-lying Maté's vineyard received plenty of rain and runoff in the 2023 rainfall, but the wine still feels fresh, vibrant and focused. There are notes of shaved fennel, white pepper, almond meal and tatami mat/straw—a decidedly white spectrum of flavor and spice. Stylistically, I usually see this wine being quite punchy, powerful and sometimes tropical. In this wet year, the wine is retrained and decidedly composed—while some may view this as being "not the Maté's style," I think it is a very good iteration of this vineyard. Time will tell, but I like it a lot. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink: 2024-2038. (12/19/24)"
93 points Rebecca Gibb, MW (Vinous): "Despite the challenging vintage, the 2023 Chardonnay Maté's Vineyard shows its attractively chewy, textural personality, richer concentration and length. The wine is certainly ripe despite only hitting 12.5% alcohol, with a buzzy acidity enveloped by a wine that is surprisingly succulent and satisfying despite the season. Perhaps I ought not to be surprised. It is Kumeu River's Maté's, after all. Drink: 2024-2038. (Sep 2024)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "Rich, with toasted hazelnut and spice accents of nutmeg and cardamom to the baked apple, white peach and touches of lemon meringue. Despite the robust, intense flavors, this has a sense of restraint to the crisp thread of acidity and sleek frame. Drink now through 2030. (10/31/23)"
95 points Jane Skilton, MW (Inside Burgundy): "More reticent than the other wines on the nose but the richness and density come through on the palate. The Mendoza clone fruit really shines this year, the small berries giving and intensity and concentration. This is the 31st vintage of Matés and Brajkovich is committed to treasure the vines, even though ever present leaf-roll virus remains. Enticing and fine boned with a surprisingly lengthy finish. (5/5/24)"
94 points Erin Larkin (Wine Advocate): "The 2023 Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay is complete; all flavor points and spice characteristics are present and accounted for, albeit restrained and even a little muted. The low-lying Maté's vineyard received plenty of rain and runoff in the 2023 rainfall, but the wine still feels fresh, vibrant and focused. There are notes of shaved fennel, white pepper, almond meal and tatami mat/straw—a decidedly white spectrum of flavor and spice. Stylistically, I usually see this wine being quite punchy, powerful and sometimes tropical. In this wet year, the wine is retrained and decidedly composed—while some may view this as being "not the Maté's style," I think it is a very good iteration of this vineyard. Time will tell, but I like it a lot. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink: 2024-2038. (12/19/24)"
93 points Rebecca Gibb, MW (Vinous): "Despite the challenging vintage, the 2023 Chardonnay Maté's Vineyard shows its attractively chewy, textural personality, richer concentration and length. The wine is certainly ripe despite only hitting 12.5% alcohol, with a buzzy acidity enveloped by a wine that is surprisingly succulent and satisfying despite the season. Perhaps I ought not to be surprised. It is Kumeu River's Maté's, after all. Drink: 2024-2038. (Sep 2024)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "Rich, with toasted hazelnut and spice accents of nutmeg and cardamom to the baked apple, white peach and touches of lemon meringue. Despite the robust, intense flavors, this has a sense of restraint to the crisp thread of acidity and sleek frame. Drink now through 2030. (10/31/23)"
| Product SKU | 352126 |
| Producer | Kumeu River |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Marlborough |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | White |
| ABV | 12.5% |
| Ships To |
