Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay 2021
Founded in 1944 by Mick Brajkovich, wife Katé and son Maté, Kumeu River was one of the early pioneers in Auckland, New Zealand, that helped to establish its reputation as a world-class wine region. Still family owned and run, Kumeu River continues to pioneer new frontiers: winemaker Michael Brajkovich became New Zealand’s first member of the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine, London, and has been testing and championing screw cap closures for close to 20 years.
2021 was frost affected, reducing yield, which makes this Coddington even more peachy and luscious than usual. The single-vineyard Coddington wine is richly ripe in the yellow peach and apricot spectrum, with a background of toasted oak and caramelized hazelnut. It is the biggest style in our range, and satisfyingly rich as such, but also nicely balanced with its acidity.
Hand harvested
Whole-bunch pressed
Indigenous-yeast fermentation
French oak barrels, 25% new oak
100% barrel fermentation
100% malolactic fermentation
11 months maturation in barrel
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Appellation | Kumeu |
| Vineyard | Coddington Vineyard |
| Alcohol | 13.50% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Country of Origin | NEW ZEALAND |
| State of Origin | N/A |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
Coddington Vineyard
Owned by Tim and Angela Coddington, this vineyard is located between the towns of Huapai and Waimauku in Kumeu. Planted on a claybased hillside with narrow trellising, the Chardonnay from this block is consistently weighty and powerful with richness and length. The grapes from Coddington have been used in the Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay since 1998. In 2006, the winery decided to give Coddington singlevineyard status to reflect this vineyard’s unique character.
Cultivation: Sustainable
Size: 1.8 hectares (4.4 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 1994
Clones: 15
Soil: Clay
Elevation: Approximately 100 meters (328 feet)
Exposure: North
Vintage Report: The winter of 2020 was relatively mild and dry. Spring came early, but there were frosts to contend with, one in particular causing damage to many of our Kumeu vineyards. Flowering took place well ahead of normal, and it was obvious that the season would be very early this year. The growing season rainfall was only sporadic, maintaining the dry conditions, and the temperatures were moderately warm. These relatively cool to warm, and dry conditions allowed for slow grape maturation, and the development of excellent fruit aromas and flavors. Harvest was completed by 9 March, about 3 weeks ahead of usual. In Kumeu the frost damage had lowered yields by 30-40%, but the overall quality was exceptional.
