Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"Delicious aromas of raspberry, strawberry and black Dawson cherry with hints of violets. The taste is all dark fruit cake and plum, with hints of spice and savoury, “forest floor” aromas. It’s full, complex and delicious on the palate! Great drinking now but your patience will be rewarded by cellaring for 5+ years.
The cool climate queen of red wine is a natural match for Marlborough’s reliable cool and dry vintage climate. The grapes typically show ripe berry fruit flavours – raspberry and strawberry; that distinctive “Forest floor” earthen aroma and fresh acidity. Our Pinot Noir is produced from our Southern Valleys vineyard, planted over 25 years ago -a very special site with geologically older soils composed of crushed river stones, intermixed with clay.
Harvested, crushed and then fermented in small batches in oak cuves to add complexity. The ferments are hand plunged, skin contacted post fermentation, gently pressed and then aged in a 20/80 blend of new/old French oak barriques for 10 months prior to blending and bottling in late summer."
Rated Excellent & 94/100 Cameron Douglas MS, March 2022 (2020 Vintage)
"With an average vine age fast approaching 40 years the concentration and purity of fruit are unmistakable. Aromas and flavours are classic with a ripe red fruits core suurounded by a touch of mystery with truffle and mushroom then a stony clay quality. Personality and pinosity are the key attributes of this wine enhanced by a taut youthful mouthfeel, fine tannins and some barrel flavours with wood spice highlights. Well made with a lengthy persistnet finish. Solid. Best drinking from 2023 through 2033+."
4 ½ Stars Michael Cooper (2020 Vintage)
"Offering fine value, the 2020 vintage is an 'old vine' red, grown in the Southern Valleys. Bright ruby, it is mouthfilling and supple, with concentrated berry, plum and spice flavours, a hint of herbs, and excellent complexity. A very ageworthy red, it's well worth cellaring."
5 Stars & 18.5-/20 (92) Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, May 2022 (2020 Vintage)
"Deep, ruby-red with a purple hue, lighter on the rim. This has a soft nose, sweet aromas of black cherries and plums interweave sweet spices of vanilla and cinnamon, pure in expression. Medium-bodied, nuances of cherries, plums underlying strawberries, dark herbs enriched by vanilla, cinnamon and clove. Fine-grained, supple tannin revealed in a velvety mouthfeel and baking spice. A hint of herbaceous nuance added interest. This is an alluring Pinot Noir with dark-toned aromatics and weight and an extended rich finish. Match with lamb and meat stew over the next 5+ years. Fruit from Southern Valleys, 13% alc."