2022 Whitehaven Marlborough Pinot Noir

VITICULTURE

Climate: The 2022 growing season started with soil moisture at capacity, following an unusually wet winter which had seen flooding in parts of the region. Pleasingly, the region did not suffer any major frost events and despite conditions in November being a little wet, the warmth that went with it meant that flowering was not drawn out and resulted in good fruit set and the prospect of healthy yields. The remainder of the season was punctuated by cooler weather and rainfall events and we were vigilant around disease pressure as we entered the harvest period. Harvest was later this year and Brix accumulation was slow. We experienced another rain event in the final third of March which then required us to harvest as quickly as possible in many blocks in order to retain pure fruit expression. This is where Whitehaven’s new receival building came to the fore, allowing greater throughput while maintain the quality focus and attention to detail that Whitehaven prides itself on.

Grape Growing: The grapes for this wine were grown in the Southern Valley’s (53%) and Awatere Valley (47%) of Marlborough. Multiple clones of Pinot noir were used to make this wine, with the vines trained to 2-cane VSP. The canopies are meticulously maintained over the growing season, ensuring beautifully ripe, clean fruit come harvest time.

Harvest Dates:Multiple harvest dates from the 6^th March to 6^th April 2022.

VINIFICATION

Winemaking: All the fruit used to make this wine was hand-picked during the cool Autumn mornings. At the winery, the fruit was gently loaded into our de-stemmer, and by using a conveyor the berries were loaded directly into various small, open-top stainless-steel tanks. After 3-4 days of cold soak, the must was allowed to warm and fermentation began, utilising either a wild yeast or inoculated with a selected strain. Following ferment, the wine was pressed off and settled overnight, then gently pumped to French oak barrels (20% new). The wine was left to mature for 10 months and then racked to tank. The wine was then filtered and finally bottled on the 23^{rd of} March, 2023.

ACCOLADES

• A linear pinot noir with fine tannins, sliced strawberries and hints of cedar. It’s fresh and medium-bodied with integration and length. This is a fine example of subtle pinot at an excellent price. Drink now. Screw cap. James Suckling, 2024, 92/100 Pts.

• This latest 2022 Whitehaven Pinot Noir is made from a blend of both sub regions and soil types, which translate to a richly aromatic, fruit forward, medium bodied Pinot Noir with depth to burn and spicy complex flavours. It is a lighter expression than the 2021 (best ever in my view from Whitehaven) and that is also the beauty of vintage variation. A stunning bargain at this price. Joelle Thomson, NZ

• Beautifully perfumed and complex, the bouquet shows sweet cherry, rich floral, clove, thyme and toasted nut aromas, leading to a finely flowing palate that's succulent and fleshy. Wonderfully framed by polished tannins, making it soothing and highly enjoyable. Sam Kim, Wine Orbit NZ, 93/100 Points, 5 Stars.

• Bright translucent ruby-red in colour, lighter at the rim. The nose has aromas of summer cherries & ripe plums, then subtle savoury, earth & warm spice notes. Lighter bodied, with lush cherry, plum & red berry fruit flavours on the palate, a fresh youthful acidity, slightly grippy tannins, & some nice oak influence. A lovely concentrated fruity & dry finish. A mix of Pinot clones from the Southern Valleys & Awatere Valley, 10 months in oak. John Bartlett, NZ Wine Directory.