2003 Kumeu River Chardonnay Estate

Community Tasting Notes (6) Avg Score: 91.2 points

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  8/1/2018 - juffer Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Just amazing how well this has performed and has continued to improve at 15 years of age. Distinctive orange rind/marmalade nose. Tropical, especially pineapple in the well balanced mouth. Long finish with ample acidity, even a touch of salty minerality and a nice return to the orange rind with some pleasant bitterness near the very end of the finish. No sign of oxidation with this bottle (others have had slight hint, though not much).

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  3/31/2017 - juffer Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Wow, this has really improved since last time I sampled it several years ago. Distinctive nose of orange marmalade, with some sultan raisons and cashews. Rich tropical mouth. Great acidity and balance on the finish with a touch of grapefruit rind bitterness. Glad I held on to these. Went from being a past its prime fading fruit wine - in hind sight merely a dumb phase - to a fairly complex wine. Paired perfectly with scallops and saffron.

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  3/10/2012 - juffer Likes this wine: 88 Points

  Should have drank these sooner. The fruit is starting to fade and has not fully absorbed the oak. But still very enjoyable. Was a great wine even a couple of years ago.

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  5/26/2008 - Rangstrom wrote: 92 Points

  I am inordinately fond of this wine. Generally, I prefer highly acidic, mineral laden white wines with little or no new oak. I mean I can be as trendy as the next guy (well not really). And yet, this 25% new oak (un peu pres), ML, fruity Chardonnay is firmly in my sweet zone. Maybe it is the extended time sur lie, maybe it is the layers of flavor--citrus, marmalade, peach, kumquat, honey, tart apple--or maybe it is the velvety finish. Whatever it is, this is a must buy every vintage and I wish I could get my hands on some of the new single vineyards.

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  5/11/2008 - wwetmore wrote:

  It was halfway between a burgundy and a New World chard. Oak was present, but not overbearing. The color was gold with a hint of green, and the nose was similar to a white Bordeaux with citrus and cut grass. On the palate, I got butterscotch, caramel and ripe apple.

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