AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2022

Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"Fragrant black cherry and rich plum fruit is subtly lifted by layers of dark red florals and complex savoury forest floor, dark chocolate, cigar box. The palate of this wine shows the concentration and elegance of the vintage. Pure flavours of berry fruit and dark plum fill the pallet. This fruit is supported by finely polished tannins giving a plush yet silky texture with seamless length.

This wine was made with a minimalist philosophy, designed to reveal the characteristics of the grapes and the vineyard. The fruit was hand-harvested, hand-sorted, gently destemmed and gravity-fed to tank. Fermented with indigenous yeast from Auntsfield vineyard. Careful hand plunging was utilised to gently extract flavours and tannins from the skins. Maturation occurred in French oak barriques for approximately 10 months."

5 Stars & 95/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, July 2023 (2022 Vintage)
"Refined and gorgeously complex, the sensually appealing bouquet shows sweet berry, hazelnut, dried mushroom and thyme nuances, followed by a wonderfully weighted palate that's juicy and finely flowing. Gorgeously styled and structured by seamlessly infused tannins, finishing impressively long and expansive. At its best: now to 2034."

Reviews for previous vintages below…

5 Stars Michael Cooper, November 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"This wine is a Potential Classic... Grown on north-facing slopes at Auntsfield, on the south side of the Wairau Valley, the very ageworthy 2021 vintage was hand-picked and matured for 10 months in French oak barriques. Deep, bright ruby, it is fragrant and mouthfilling, with deep, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, complex and finely structured. Concentrated, fresh, vibrant and savoury, with obvious cellaring potential, it's a top vintage of this label. Best drinking 2025+."

5 Stars 18.5+/20 (94/100) Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, July 2022 (2021 Vintage)
"Deep ruby-red with a purple core, lighter on the rim. The nose is elegantly full, softy, penetrating aromas of plums, black cherries, interweave thyme, mint, spice and a hint of savoury element. Medium-bodied, aromas of plums and cherries show good ripeness and concentration, melded with thyme, earthy and hints of cinnamon and pepper. The wine has grounded energy and broadness on the palate, reflecting clay, earthy soil elements. Peppery, cinnamon warming spices linger with thyme to a long, fragrant finish. Lacy acidity flows harmoniously with sweet fruit; powdery fine tannins provide a refined structure. This savoury Pinot Noir possesses balanced, black fruit with a concentrated palate, earthy and spice elements on a refined palate. Match with pork cheek croquettes and duck breast over the next 6-8 years. Fruit from a single vineyard in the Southern Valleys, handpicked, hand-sorted, destemmed, fermented with indigenous yeast, aged in French oak barriques for 10 months."

5 Stars & 95/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, July 2022 (2020 Vintage)
"Deeply scented pinot noir with cassis and floral/red rose aromas leading to similar flavours on the palate together with dark-fleshed plum, dark cherry and spicy, smoky oak. An impeccably balanced wine that can be enjoyed now but promises to deliver more with bottle age."