Te Whare Ra 'Pinot Noir' 2019

All winemakers are a bit obsessed with Pinot Noir because it is the most challenging variety to grow and to make – and very unforgiving of mistakes. For our style of Pinot Noir we prefer the flavour profiles from the southern side of Marlborough – this sub-region is called the Southern valleys or Southern clays. The soil types in this area of Marlborough are much older than the Wairau plains, they also have much lower fertility and a much higher clay component which gives the wines more depth and structure. We love Pinot Noir that is silky, supple and savoury and this sub-region delivers that for us.

This release is a blend from three certified organic vineyards – our TWR home block, and the Clayvin and Wrekin Vineyards in the Brancott Valley.  We were very excited to be able to procure some fruit from those sites as we have seen the quality those vineyards have produced in the past.  This growing season was one of the warmest on record, and was also very dry. Thankfully the sites we work with have good access to water as needed and good organic matter – so those two factors plus the clay component of those soils meant that the vines were able to have access to stored moisture and avoided the stress that impacted some other sites. 2019 was a stellar vintage in Marlborough for Pinot Noir. This resultant blend of these 3 special sites has great fruit weight and power, with the depth of flavour and complexity. The wine has a great approachable fleshiness but also the line and length for some serious cellaring.

Tasting Notes

This Pinot Noir exhibits gorgeous, fragrant notes of ripe strawberry and omega plum with hints of baking spice, mocha, and some complex savoury undertones. The fleshy, silky tannins combine with vibrant flavours of omega plum and strawberry. The palate has serious weight and flows from fruit purity into more savoury and complex flavours. The wine has great fleshiness and depth and finishes with a lingering persistence of fruit, fine tannin and well integrated oak. Bottled un-fined and with minimal filtration.