Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay 2021

James Suckling 2021 (97 pts)

This is a wine of real purity and elegance with fresh sliced peaches and lemons, as well as some light pastry notes. The palate is fine, unwaveringly long and pure with enlivening acidity through the finish. Stunning.

Wine Advocate 2021 (93 pts)

A bit tighter and more linear than the Estate Chardonnay, the 2019 Coddington Chardonnay is still medium to full-bodied, but it leans more toward the pineapple-citrus side of the spectrum. Delicate hints of toasted nuts appear on the nose, while the palate offers pineapple, yellow plum and lime notes, particularly on the long, refreshing finish.  Drink Date: 2021-2030

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, September 2020 (16.5+)

From the Coddingtons’ vineyard. Hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed, indigenous-yeast fermentation, 100% barrel fermentation, 100% malolactic conversion. 11 months’ maturation in barrel.

Quite broad on the nose and more obviously fruity (rather than savoury) than the Estate Chardonnay 2019, though it will obviously take on more subtlety with time. Pretty impressive finish to the palate, on which mandarin and passion-fruit flavours reverberate. 14% Drink 2020 – 2027

Rebecca Gibb MW, vinous.com, November 2020 (93 pts)

This Chardonnay is expansive, filling the mouth with its subtle flavors yet retaining a sense of lightness. Its girth is wrapped in a firm belt of acidity that holds everything into a streamlined whole. Chardonnay is a non-aromatic variety and the fine aromas of nectarine and oatmeal combine with a barrel-derived smoky note on the drawn-out finish.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

With a savory, struck match undercurrent, Coddington Chardonnay has a core of lemons, fresh grapefruit and yuzu with a touch of pineapple. Medium bodied and still quite tightly wound at this youthful stage, it gives and refreshing acid backbone throughout the long finish. It should age beautifully over the next 6-8 years+.