"Juiciness, gloss, but also finesse. White nectarine, oatmeal and bran, spice, a distinct aniseed note, a suggestion of rock salt with a honey and white flower perfume. It offers plenty of flavour, peach, ripe lime, something just nudging tropical fruit flavour, though not overt. It has fine acidity, a light flinty grip, and carries long and silky, with just a little chalkiness tightening up the finish. Superb."
96 Points
Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
• • • •
"The 2025 Hunting Hill Chardonnay is ripe and thunderous, with salted peach, walnuts and stewed apple notes. This is flavorsome, opulent and impressively distinct from the Maté's tasted alongside—the vineyards are a stone's throw from each other. This is nettle-y, laden with apple skins and driven by fruit intensity. The acidity remains a concentrated and powerful player on stage here, as with all the Kumeu River cuvées. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
94 Points
Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate