JAMESSUCKLING.COM

WEEKLY TASTING REPORT (JULY27-AUG2, 2021):

A PERFECT NEW ZEALAND CHARDONNAY

We are not going to be shy about it. We just gave a perfect score to a New Zealand chardonnay

– Kumeu River Chardonnay Kumeu Mate’s Vineyard 2020. Both Contributing Editor Nick Stock and I

have been saying for years that chardonnay from New Zealand is amazing, and the perfect wine has

finally arrived. It’s only the second time ever that JamesSuckling.com has awarded a New Zealand

wine 100 points, and it came during our biggest tasting week ever – nearly 800 wines.

“They have set the standard for New Zealand chardonnay,” said Nick, who raved about all the 2020

Kumeu River Chardonnays he rated last week. “We are looking at the best set of releases ever from

this winery. The Brajkovich family makes the wines and Michael Brajkovich is the winemaker, and he

is relentless in finding quality.”