Hunting Hill is a vineyard that was first planted in 1982 and became a significant part of the original Kumeu River Chardonnay blend. Occupying the slope overlooking Maté’s Vineyard, it has always contributed lovely ripe and rich fruit to the Estate Chardonnay. Hunting Hill was replanted in 2000 and is now even better than before, giving beautifully ripe fruit with a distinctive, mealy minerality.
The Chardonnays from 2018 are supple and approachable and this makes the typically fragrant Hunting Hill very pretty, with its lemon/lime blossom aromas and hint of orange. The palate has a supple texture and lingering flavour which provides a long finish, and it has a salty, mineral tang on the end. As with previous vintages of Hunting Hill we expect this to drink well for 6 – 8 years.
Fantastic bouquet - captivating with great depth and complexity, pure and definitive. Flavours of peach and ripe, fleshy apricot, meyer lemon zest and cashew, oak spices and rose-skinned apple.
This package then repeats again and again. Contrasting acidity to the pure fruit core, a light saline note adding complexity and charm. Persistent flavours, lengthy finish, complex and urgent. A fantastic wine, ready for the cellar. Best drinking from late 2021 through 2026+