Pinot Noir Martinborough

Winemaker

Daniel Brennan

Varieties

Pinot Noir

Viticulture

Martinborough sits in a perfect Pinot Noir pocket on the lower North Island. To the west of Martinborough is the Rimutaka Mountain ranges, protecting the region from the westerly rains. To the southeast lies the Aorangi Range and due east are the foothills leading up the coast of the North Island. There is, however, some exposure to the cold southerlies coming up through Palliser Bay in the spring that limit flowering and result in low yielding vines producing fruit of high intensity. This single vineyard wine was produced from a dry-farmed block with a unique soil structure for Martinborough with clay over top of free draining old riverbeds. Slightly more elevated (30m asl) than the typical river terrace soils in most of Martinborough, this vineyard has great exposure with a northeast aspect. The vineyard is maintained organically with no weed sprays or pesticides.

Terroir

Mostly Alluvial rocks, very little clay

Ratings & Reviews

Vineyard

Various vineyard sites throughout Hawke's Bay - Gimblett Gavels, Crownthorpe, Bridge Pa District - and Martinborough

Vinification

The fruit was separated and fermented by clones. Light, gentle plunging in small fermentation tanks with 10% whole bunches in the mix of half of the fermentations. The ferments were on skins for 2 to 3 weeks and then pressed gently through a small basket press. They were settled in tanks and then put to barrel where they slowly went through secondary fermentation, finishing in the spring. Each barrel was evaluated and then chosen for the final blend and bottled the following year in February.

Aging

10 months in French barriques with 10% new oak, 20% 2 and 3 year old oak and the balance in neutral oak. The wine was then left in bottle for an additional 18 months before being released

Features

Screw cap, Vegan

Available Sizes (L)

0.750