2013 Greywacke Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Clones 115, 777, 667, UCD5 and 10/5, on hillsides at 3,788 vines/ha. Hand-harvested, chilled overnight. Mostly destemmed. Fermentation in open-top vats with daily plunging by hand. 15 months in 45% new French barriques. Egg-white fined. TA 5.6 g/l, pH 3.65. Pale-mid garnet. Fudgy, integral cordite and clove oak, with some dried tones to rich cherry and strawberry fruit. Layered. Sweet and brisk, with fine tannins and savouriness. Good length. Lovely freshness and vigour. (TJ)
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
A bright, crunchy and slightly earthy pinot that comes from the Southern Valleys of Marlborough, this has a spiced red cherry and smoky edge, raspberry and red plum too. The palate's very composed and settled, the 20% whole bunch use is really nicely worked into the wine, tannins are assertive and yet smooth. The red cherry fruit has center stage, succulent, textural, clay soils deliver the right tannins here.
Dark garnet. Rather strange nose. Old rope rather than fruit? Some real substance underneath. Very distinctive and certainly not formulaic. Savoury finish. Goes off on its own path. I think you need a map and a guide to appreciate this one. (JR)
Medium red. Sexy musky reduction to the aromas of black cherry, raspberry, plum, earth, gunflint and spices. Fat, plump, round and generous; still a touch reduced and hiding its fruit but quite mouthfilling. Aeration brought out flavors of strawberry, red plum and spicy, cedary oak and a savory complexity. Finishes juicy and dry, with a serious dusting of fine tannins and very good length.