($22, Wilson-Daniels):  Granted, I’ve not tasted every New Zealand Chardonnay, but I’ve yet to find a consistently better Chardonnay producer than Kumeu River.
Kumeu River bottles an array of Chardonnay ranging from this “entry level” to several single vineyards, each of which reflects their unique site.  This Village wine comes from fruit that doesn’t make the cut for the upper level wines and a small amount from their neighbors.  This unoaked wine delivers more delicate fruit notes–subtle pineapple and lemon–than minerality. Graceful and balanced, it’s not over done.  It’s a classy wine for the price.  88 Michael Apstein May 31, 2011