THE MARLBORIST PINOT NOIR 2023

Winery notes (2023 Vintage)
"An ethereal, highly perfumed pinot noir hailing from Marlborough’s Southern Valleys. A delicious combination of boysenberries, Black Doris plum, lavender and liquorice are underpinned by elegant, finely integrated tannins, with hints of cinnamon-clove spice and a dry, earthy finish.

Fruit was sourced from the historic Auntsfield Vineyard in the Ben Morven Valley and The Wrekin Vineyard at the head of the Brancott Valley. A mixture of clones 5, 114, 115, 667, 777 and Abel are grown on wind-blown, loess clay soils overlying greywacke bedrock that typify the sub-region. A combination of low yields, organic and biodynamic practices allow the vines to ripen beautiful, black bunches of intensely flavoured fruit.

Picked over three weeks starting mid-March, the fruit was harvested by hand and transported to the winery where it was chilled overnight. The majority of fruit was carefully destemmed into small fermentation vessels while a portion of whole-bunch fruit was also included. After several days cold-soaking on skins, the fermentation spontaneously commenced by indigenous yeast and was followed by gentle, daily hand-plunging. Following fermentation, the wine was drained off skins and transferred to a combination of seasoned French oak puncheons and barrels. The wine was aged in oak for 11 months before being transferred out just in time for the 2024 harvest. Each batch was kept separate until June when the blend was assembled and settled prior to bottling in July. 11 months in 15% new and seasoned French oak barrels & puncheons plus 5 months in stainless steel tanks."

Rated Excellent & 94/100 Cameron Douglas MS, September 2025 (2023 Vintage)
"An enticing complexity, varietal and youthful bouquet. Aromas of dark red berry fruits with a mix of cherry and plum as well. Layers of wood spice and a foundation earthy quality adds complexity and breadth. Dry with plenty of weight and power, but not at the expense of varietal correctness and core fruit flavours a mirror of the bouquet. Polished tannins and acidity frame the earth and berry fruits, there’s tautness and some poise with plenty of length and style Still developing with best drinking from 2028 through 20232+."

92/100 Erin Larkin, RobertParker.com, Wine Advocate, June 2025 (2023 Vintage)
"The 2023 Pinot Noir leads with cherry and star anise, a hint of fennel and iodine, crushed oyster shell and white pepper. In the mouth, the wine shows gentle notions of forest moss, pomegranate molasses, licorice and a fresh line of acidity. This is gorgeous. It's mineral and feels good."

91/100 Emma Jenkins MW, Decanter, August 2024 (2023 Vintage)
"A bold, high octane style with a ripe, perfumed nose packed with spice, florals and fruit, plus an opulent, supple palate with plenty of silkiness and good fruit density bolstered by oak and fruit tannins. Lots of spicy fruit on the finish and fairly good length. This is no shrinking violet but it keeps everything in balance."