In Bond Fine Wine. 2024 Kumeu River Rays Road Chardonnay, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. White new zealand - white in 6x75cl. Top critic score: 91/100 (RG). Drinking window: 2025–2039. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
Kumeu River is one of New Zealand’s benchmark producers and has earned a worldwide reputation for Chardonnays that regularly draw comparisons with top white Burgundy. Founded by the Brajkovich family, the estate combines cool-climate vineyards with Burgundian inspired winemaking to produce wines of remarkable purity, freshness and longevity. Chardonnay is the star, from the superb value Village and Estate Chardonnay through to the single vineyard Coddington, Hunting Hill and much feted Maté’s Vineyard. The range also includes elegant, cool-climate Pinot Noir, with an emphasis throughout on balance, precision and expression of site. The 2024 vintage is a particular highlight - small in quantity but exceptional in quality, producing beautifully concentrated, fresh and balanced wines. It is one of Kumeu River’s finest recent vintages and further evidence of why the estate is regarded among…
Rebecca Gibb MW (RGM) — 91/100 · Vinous, 2026-02-01 · Drink 2026 - 2032
The 2024 Chardonnay from Rays Road is bright and punchy. It is not opulent, but it does have a juicy layer of fat on the mid-palate. There's a touch of fruit sweetness from the richness, yet tension and chalkiness provide the lasting impression.
Erin Larkin (EL) — 92–94/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 2025-06-05 · Drink 2025 - 2039
The 2024 Rays Road Chardonnay leads with a spicy, almost exotic nose, while the palate strides in smooth, sleek movements. This is creamy and a little nutty, and there are wet limestone notes in the mouth, alongside yellow citrus and layers of dried herbs, cracked fennel seeds, ginger root and fruit flavors. A lovely wine, it's weighted on the back palate and long through the finish. I tasted thi…