Wairau River Pinot Noir 2023/24

Wairau River Pinot Noir hits the spot for quality Pinot Noir at a competitive price. With aromas of raspberry and cherry fruit and hints of pepper and spice, leading into a generous palate of red fruits and plums framed by subtle elegant tannins providing structure and depth. The result is a savoury and very approachable Pinot Noir with a long and persistent finish. A dry, light to medium bodied Pinot with excellent balance, structure and finesse. A great alternative to a Pinot Noir from Burgundy.

This Pinot Noir comes from Phil and Chris Rose beautiful vineyards in Rapaura, Marlborough. The grapes are hand-harvested in the cool of the early morning, to retain the vibrancy of the fruit. After fermentation,  the skins were gently basket pressed, and the wine matured in French oak barriques for 9 months, prior to blending and bottling.

Reviews

2022 Vintage

“Like the turn of a pepper grinder, this is full of fresh white pepper aromas, laced with pomegranate, red berry and anise, with a cool stone nuance. The palate is vibrant and fresh with a tug of savoury tannins and lovely tangy red berries. There’s a lightness here that provides ease, and a quiet power that adds complexity, all at an affordable price.  Drink 2023 – 2028.”   92 Points; Wine Enthusiast USA

2020 Vintage

“Offering splendid fruit purity and fragrance, this wine shows dark plum, sweet cherry, roasted nuts and subtle spice aromas. The palate delivers ripe fruit intensity and persistence beautifully supported by silky mouthfeel and fine tannins. Elegant and complex. Drinking well through to 2025/6.”   93 Points + 5 Stars; Sam Kim Wine Orbit NZ

About the Producer

Phil and Chris Rose were pioneers in the late 1970s when they planted the Vineyards near the banks of the beautiful braided Wairau River. (Wairau is Maori for ‘many waters’). Originally they grew grapes for other producers, like Cloudy Bay. In 1991 they decided to produce their own wine and started more extensive planting, building a winery in 2002. Today, they are joined by 5 children and extended family, making this one of the foremost 100% family owned vineyards, with some of the most mature vineyards, in Marlborough. The land bordering Wairau River is at the foot of the Richmond Range of hills; it enjoys long warm days and cold nights providing favourable conditions for growing quality grapes. Their wines are elegant and subtle.

About the Vintage

After three drought years, 2022 experienced a La Niña year with significantly more rainfall and not always at the best times. A very warm October, November, December meant a good time for flowering and fruit set. However, a cold and wet February caught everyone out and created disease pressure and slow ripening. This slowed development and extended the ripening period with harvest commencing in the 3rd week of March and concluding at the end of April.

In the immediate run up to harvest, warm fine weather returned and saved the day. The extended ripening period has led to wines with great balance and poise. For the second year, Covid was also a challenge, as it affected the organisation of harvest operations. All in all, a year of challenges but an increased yield on the low yields of 2021 and some very healthy Pinot Noir grapes.

Check out our competitive price: sells in some Independent Merchants £16.99 – £17.99

Food match: Brilliant with Duck, Game, Pork, Turkey and Vegetarian dishes; it will also be good with Free Range Chicken and Roasted Salmon