2023 Whitehaven Marlborough Pinot Noir

VITICULTURE & VINIFICATION

Climate: Similar to the previous season, the 2022-23 growing season started with soil moisture at capacity following a wet winter. Flowering conditions in November and December were uneven across Marlborough, with some sub-regions achieving a good fruit set and crop load, and others below average set. Vigilance around disease pressure was paramount, with regular rain events through the season, unusual humidity, and warm nights through much of December and January. Daytime temperatures were not warm, delaying the vine's physiological advancement. Marlborough breathed a sigh of relief as cyclone Gabielle minimally impacted the region in February, while sadly wreaking havoc through much of the North Island. The season turned a corner for Marlborough in early March with a return to cool nights and sunnier conditions allowing us to delay harvest for as long as possible, resulting in fruit that reached good sugar levels with attractive flavours, while disease levels remained low.

Grape Growing: The grapes for this wine were grown in the Southern Valley’s (64%) and Awatere Valley (36%) 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, ensuring beautifully ripe, clean fruit come harvest time.

Harvest Dates: Multiple harvest dates from 16th March to 14th April 2023.

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 5-6 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 (21% new). The wine was left to mature for 10 months and then racked to tank. The wine was filtered and finally bottled on the 1st of March, 2024.

ACCOLADES

• 2025 Global Fine Wine Challenge, Judges Selection

• It's splendidly ripe and fragrant on the nose with dark cherry, rich floral, mixed spice, and toasted almond characters. The palate displays juicy fruit flavours with silky texture and a rounded mouthfeel, well supported by fine-grained tannins, finishing long and elegant. At its best: now to 2030. Sam Kim, Wine Orbit NZ, 93/100 Points, 5 Stars.
  
• Bright, fresh, fruity and varietal with scents of red cherry and plum then a violet rose quality, clay and stony soil ideas then a raspberry fresh quality. Dry, fruity and varietal with flavours that mirror the bouquet led by plum and cherry. Tannins are fin and polished with acidity adding crispness and contrast to the core fruit flavours. Balanced, well-made and ready to drink from 2025 through 2029. Cameron Douglas, MS: 90 Points, Premium
• The youthful 2023 vintage was hand-harvested in the Awatere Valley and Southern Valleys.  Bright ruby, it is mouthfilling, with concentrated, vibrant cherry, plum and spice flavours, nutty and savoury notes adding complexity, and good tannin backbone.  A very ageworthy red, it's well worth cellaring to 2027+. Michael Cooper, 4.5 Stars

• Light crimson, even colour throughout. The nose is gently full, with aromas of cherry, black raspberry, spice and floral hints. Medium-bodied, aromas of cherry, black raspberry entwined with dark herb and cinnamon. The aromatics show lovely depth, layering spice and herb that elevate and linger to a long, broody finish. This Marlborough Pinot Noir is silky, possessing attractive aromatics and an enticing appeal. Match with lamb koftas and lamb ribs over the next 3+ years. Handpicked fruit from Awatere and Southern Valleys, fermented to 14% alc. Vegan friendly. Candice Chow (Raymond Chan Wine Reviews), 18.5/20 pts (93 pts)