THE KING'S WRATH PINOT NOIR 2021

TASTING NOTE

Black Doris plum and cassis aromas are laced with savoury layers of forest floor and spiced oak. The full-bodied palate showcases a fine-grained tannin structure with underlying crushed blackberry, mocha and white pepper elements. The tannin structure creates an intense finish helping to carry the array of lively Marlborough fruit flavours.

FOOD MATCH

Highly versatile, this wine matches well to gamey meats, mushrooms as well as rich fish such as tuna or trout. We recommend enjoying The King’s Wrath 2021 with seared eye fillet with smoked mushrooms and a port jus.

CELLARING POTENTIAL

3 – 5 years.

ORIGIN

Sourced from selected Pinot Noir vineyards in the Southern Valleys of Marlborough.

VARIETY

100% Pinot Noir.

WINEMAKING

Selected clones were hand-harvested from clay-based vineyards in the Southern Valleys. The fruit was chilled and mostly destemmed into small fermenters for a week-long cold soak helping deepen the colour. A portion was kept as whole bunches to provide structure and complexity. Fermentation occurred over another week with strains of yeast isolated from Burgundian vineyards. The wines were then pressed to French oak puncheons (50% new) to mature for 11 months in which time they underwent Malolactic fermentation.

ANALYSIS

• Alcohol - 14.1%
• pH - 3.72
• T.A - 5.48g/L
• Residual sugar - 0.3g/L
• Vegan Certified

VINTAGE

The 2021 growing season had an ideal start – early bud burst after a record warm, dry winter (the second warmest since 1932), and an unusually uneventful frost period. Wet weather in the critical months of November and December challenged flowering and fruit set but the southerly position of the Waihopai Valley, with its typically later flowering, protected most of our vineyards from the worst impacts.

Harvest started early due to optimal grape ripening from dry summer months and record sunshine hours. Fruit was harvested in pristine condition with a calm, steady flow undeterred by significant rain mid-harvest.

Despite smaller yield we captured fruit flavours at their best aided by the absence of vineyard disease, an overall moderately warm, dry season, and proactive harvest plans. The team are very excited by the quality of harvest 2021.

TROPHY

• Marlborough Wine Show 2022: Classic Oak Products Champion Pinot Noir Current Vintage & QuayConnect Champion Wine of the Show

DOUBLE GOLD

• New Zealand International Wine Show 2022

GOLD

• The Global Pinot Noir Masters 2023
• Mundus Vini Spring Tasting 2023
• Dish Magazine Pinot Noir Tasting 2023

96 POINTS

• WineState New Releases 2022

95 POINTS

• WineOrbit: Sam Kim 2022

"This is seductively expressed on the nose with dark berry, charcuterie, thyme, earthy mushroom and cedar characters. The palate is graceful and flowing, wonderfully enhanced by velvety texture and beautifully woven tannins. It’s spicy and savoury with sweet fruit flavours offering terrific drinking. At its best: now to 2028"

93 POINTS

• Cameron Douglas MS 2023

"A lovely bouquet with a ripe varietal core fruit scents of black cherry and boysenberry, velvet roses and clove spices. There’s a gentle, natural earth smoke alongside scents of clove and vanilla then a fine layer of oak wood adding complexity and breadth. A complete wine on the palate with with flavours of red berries and plums, baking spices and oak qualities including nut and vanilla. Youthful tannins delivering a palate squeeze, medium+ acidity with a youthful lengthy finish. Well made with best drinking from 2024 through 2030."