2010 Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
The 2010 Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay has now come into its own. Where the Coddington is energetic and bright, almost sweetly fruited, the Maté's is savory, intense and structural. Despite the season, it never sheds this inherent personality trait. It ripples and courses with flavor. It speaks in a throaty rasp, like a person who ceased smoking long ago, and it is charming for that. It is coaxing. The acidity balances the fruit characters, keeping it fresh and racy.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
A bit more diffuse on the nose than the Hunting Hill. Big and beefy but more muscles than elegance. A tiny bit hot and sweet on the end. (JR)
The 2010 Chardonnay Maté's Vineyard is a step up from the other single vineyards at this stage, showing more concentration and density, perhaps due to its vine age compared with Coddington and Hunting Hill at this time. It was also a small, frost-affected vintage. The 2010 is balanced, restrained and harmonious but needs a little more weight and length.
The 2010 Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay has a slightly smudged nose that is missing the intensity, precision and engaging personality of the previous three vintages. The palate is well balanced with orange peel and hints of lemongrass on the entry and even a hint of curry leaf toward the second half, though it lacks the detail of the best vintages from this vineyard. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.