2018 Estate Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes

An intense hit of black cherry and brambleberry is layered with floral highlights and hints of liquorice. The palate is soft but generous, finishing with ripe chocolatey tannins and gentle acidity which delivers a round and generous wine with a long finish. Drink now, or cellar for up to 10 years.

4.5-Stars | "Estate-grown and hand-harvested in the northern Wairarapa, and matured for a year in French oak casks (20% new), the 2018 vintage is ruby-hued, scented and supple. A very harmonious red, it has ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, well-integrated oak, very good complexity and lots of current-drinking appeal. Best drinking 2021+." - Michael Cooper

90 Points |"Varietal with a ripe and refreshing bouquet of Pinot Noir. Red apple and cherry, raspberry and light red plum. A light rose and gentle savoury undertone, moderate layer of oak with vanilla and spice. Dry, tense, fruity and poised for ageing. Fine to moderate tannins, medium+ acidity, youthful and well made. Drink from now and through 2024." - Cameron Douglas MS

Winemaker's Notes

The fruit was crushed and destemmed into 1.5 and 2-ton fermentation tanks with about 70% of the fruit left as whole berries. As far as possible all clones were vinified separately to give expression to each clone’s unique character. We applied a cold soak period of 3–5 days followed by spontaneously started ferments. All batches received a post-soak of between 2–3 weeks with plunging done by hand to ensure a soft extraction of tannins. We then pressed of the batches and matured them in French oak barrels (25% new) for 10 months, each with its own balanced oak regime of barrel age and choice of coopers.

Technical Sheet

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Vintage: 2018

Vineyard: Dakins Road & Blairpatrick

Region: Wairarapa

Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 11,300 bottles

Residual Sugar: 0.25g/L