JULICHER 99 ROWS PINOT NOIR 2017

Here is a fantastic deal on a beautifully maturing Martinborough Pinot Noir that has been turning on Pinot lovers here at Vino Fino for a number of years now. Julicher Estate have established a fine reputation for the two Pinot Noirs they produce, winning major local and international awards. Not a second label, 99 Rows is made in the same way as the Estate label but is a blend of different Pinot Noir clones sourced from different blocks in their vineyard on Te Muna Road and another on the Martinborough Terraces.

91/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, September 2020 (2017 Vintage)
"A beautifully maturing pinot, the inviting bouquet shows dried cherry, smoked game, clove and roasted nut aromas, followed by an elegantly weighted palate that's smooth and flowing. It's well proportioned and flavoursome with charming bottle-developed complexity."

Winery notes (2017 Vintage)
"The 2017 99 Rows has aromas of plum and red berries, on the palate the balanced acidity and tannins create a long velvety finish."

Reviews for the 2016 vintage below…

5 Stars WineFolio.com, April 2020 (2016 Vintage)
"A blend of clones from the company vineyard in Te Muna Road, Martinborough. A dense ruby red, with inviting notes of blueberry, cherry and buddleia florals on the nose. Boisterous fruit and racy acidity – layers of earthy notes as well as the intense and juicy bramble and plum. Nicely integrated – tannins are fine and chalky, lined up with the mineral and a flush of christmas spices and toasty oak. The finish is sweeter and lightly spicy again – a nice contrast to the savoury welcome."

4 ½ Stars Angie Atkinson, The Wine Writer (2016 Vintage)
"A blend of seven Pinot Noir clones from different vineyard blocks on Te Muna Road. Handpicked, 100% destemmed and fermented after a 4-5 day cold soak, plunged three times daily and aged for 10 months in oak barrels of which 20% were new. Pale ruby in colour with a hint of age creeping in with a tawny hue on the edge. Extremely fragrant, red cherry, cranberry, wild herbs, and earthy crunchy leaves with underlying mushroom on the nose. A medium bodied, complex wine with flavours of juicy red and dark cherry, red plum, and savoury forest floor. Linear acidity, dusty tannins, and oak derived spices linger on the palate."

4 ½ Stars Michael Cooper (2016 Vintage)
"From Julicher Estate, the attractive 2016 vintage is a single-vineyard red, estate-grown at Te Muna. Invitingly fragrant, with full, bright colour, it has vibrant cherry, plum and spice flavours, nutty, savoury notes adding good complexity, and plenty of youthful vigour. Best drinking 2021+."

92/100 Cameron Douglas MS, March 2020 (2016 Vintage)
"Plums and old roses, strawberry and dusty back country road aromas. The bouquet reveals an integrated and balanced wine with just enough bottle age and complexity to easily entice a taste. On the palate – balanced with fine tannins and still plentiful acidity, flavours of red berries – some fresh, some dried. Dusty chalky tannin texture, dried leaves and brown baking spices. Overall a nice wine, varietal and ready, moderate complexity and decent finish. Drink now and through 2022."