Pinot Noir 2022

Marlborough’s spring, often a little moody, set the stage for a distinctive vintage. While most varieties flowered smoothly, our Pinot Noir faced a few tricky days, resulting in uneven fruit set and an exceptionally small yield. A warm, dry growing season followed, culminating in a long Indian summer that nurtured intensely concentrated, yet still vibrant berries. Hand-picked with meticulous care at just 400 g per vine, surpassing even Grand Cru Burgundy standards, our 26-year-old vines delivered pure, impeccably ripe grapes, producing a wine of remarkable depth and character.

The pure fruit was carefully destemmed, keeping 80% as whole berries, and underwent a four-day cold soak, protected by dry ice to prevent oxidation and spontaneous fermentation. This process enhances colour, flavour, aroma and supple tannins for a silky mouthfeel. The temperature was then allowed to rise gradually, enabling a long cool natural fermentation, free from cultured yeast or additives, to reveal the grape's true essence and terroir. After 21 days on skins, the young wine was gently pressed into French Allier barriques for malolactic fermentation. Aged 24 months in barrique, it emerges as a cellar-worthy wine. Unfined (vegan) and unfiltered to preserve its magnificent integrity. 

With yields rivalling those of a Grand Cru, this Pinot Noir's dark ruby hue hints at its grandeur. Intensely aromatic, it unveils layers of dark berries, cherries, violets and warm spices. The palate is deep and earthbound, with magnificent complexity, where sumptuous, silky tannins meet a savoury acidity. This refined elegance, reminiscent of Burgundy's finest, culminates in a long, lingering finish, promising remarkable aging potential for the discerning collector. 

Dry and elegant, our Pinots are a sommelier 's favourite for their effortless versatility in food pairing. Therese serves it with her pan-seared Canterbury duck, a truly heavenly combination.