Pinot Noir 2020
Regular price
$69.00
Sale
96/100 James Suckling: this is really drinking beautifully... This wine represents 500 years of Pinot winegrowing heritage and 50 years of crafting it, culminating in one of New Zealand's most magnificent yet understated Pinot Noirs. Hans’ expertise with the varietal results in a powerful and rich expression of Burgundy's finest grape, marked by striking aromas, purity, and a silky texture. The wine is matured in French oak barriques for 24 months and then aged in the bottle for over 3 years before release. Suckling calls it a "Serious wine to ponder. Drink or hold, but hard not to open."
Vintage 2020+
The flowering was less than ideal, leading to irregular fruit set. However, the remainder of the growing season proved to be perfect, with a long Indian summer fostering the development of healthy and intensely flavourful berries. Despite the setbacks, we meticulously hand-picked the Pinot Noir grapes at an incredibly low yield of 400g per vine, surpassing even the strict standards of a Grand Cru Burgundy. Our 24-year-old vines yielded unparalleled, pure, physiologically ripe grapes, resulting in a wine of exceptional quality and character.
Hans’ Winemaking Comments+
The healthy fruit was carefully destemmed, retaining 40% as whole berries. The pure fruit underwent a four-day cold soak, protected by dry ice, to extract softer, richer colour, flavour, aromas and more supple tannins for a silky mouthfeel. The temperature was then allowed to rise gently, ensuring a natural, long, cool wild fermentation untainted by cultured yeast or additives, revealing the true essence of the grape variety and terroir integrity. With a total of 21 days on the skins, the young wine was gently pressed and transferred into French Allier barriques for malolactic fermentation. With 24 months in barriques, it emerges as a promising candidate for long-term aging. Finally, the wine was bottled unfined (vegan) and unfiltered at our winery, preserving the integrity of this magnificent Pinot Noir.
Tasting Notes+
With yields rivalling those of a Grand Cru, the dark ruby red hue of this Pinot Noir already hints at its Grandeur. Intensely aromatic, it presents luscious notes of dark berries, cherries, violet, and warm spices. Magnificent complexity unfolds on the palate, revealing a dry, deep, and earthbound character. Sumptuous and silky tannins are balanced by a savoury acidity, embodying the refined elegance characteristic of Burgundy's greatest varietal. Its long finish speaks to its aging potential, making it a superb addition to any Burgundy lover's cellar.
Technical Data+
Variety |
100% Pinot Noir (Clones - UDC6; Dijon 667, 777; Swiss 10/5) |
Rootstock |
3309 / SO4 / Riparia Gloire |
Vine Planted |
1996 |
Soil |
Shallow (<45 cm) well drained sandy and gravelly soil with clay-sand patches from stony alluvium. |
Planting Density |
Close planted at 5,500 vines/ha |
Yield |
1t/ha |
Alcohol |
13.8% |
Residual Sugar |
none, <1g/L |
Ageing Potential |
10+ years |
Bottles Produced |
1,365 bottles |
Food Matching Suggestions+
Dry and elegant, our Pinots are famous for being the Sommeliers choice due to their ability to easily match many different dishes. Try with poultry, pasta dishes and casseroles, to name a few.
Industry Reviews+
James Suckling 96/100
March 24. This is really drinking beautifully now with a ripe strawberry, chocolate and walnut character as well as hints of wood in just the right amount. Full-bodied yet not heavy, with lots of polished, caressing tannins and focus. Serious wine to ponder. Drink or hold, but hard not to open.
James Suckling link to website