Kumeu River Rays Road Chardonnay 2023
Ray’s Road is textural, fragrant and concentrated. Beautiful salinity, white flower, lime zest and delicate nuttiness. A noticeable layer of oak and creamy texture that adds depth. The finish is clean, with a focused minerality.
Rays Road is Kumeu River’s vineyard site in Hawkes Bay that was purchased in 2017. This limestone hillside is at 180 m altitude, with a northerly aspect. It is dry-farmed to yield high quality grapes for this single vineyard wine. Fruit was hand-harvested, whole bunch pressed and fermented with indigenous yeast in older French Oak barrels. After malolactic fermentation is complete, the wine is then matured for 11 months in French oak. Immediately enjoyable but with ageing potential.