THE NED PINOT NOIR 2021

TASTING NOTE

Delicious aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry liquorice and dried oregano with a fragrant all spice lift. The fleshy, sweet-fruited palate boasts opulent tannins, notes of smoky French oak and a long juicy finish.

FOOD MATCHING

This concentrated fruit driven style of Pinot Noir will be the perfect accompaniment to your favourite white meat dishes. Try alongside roasted pork belly sitting on a bed of mashed potato, covered in peppercorn gravy. For a vegetarian option try blue cheese stuffed button mushrooms browned to perfection on the BBQ.

CELLARING POTENTIAL

Crafted to be enjoyed within 3-5 years of vintage date.

ORIGIN

Marlborough, New Zealand

WINEMAKING

Our Pinot Noir vines are planted in the deep clay loams of the Southern Valleys, universally regarded as the finest Pinot Noir terroir in Marlborough. The vines are cane pruned and meticulously tended to achieve a naturally balanced crop of intensely flavoured fruit.

Ripe fruit was completely de-stemmed, but not crushed, with the aim of achieving a significant percentage of intact berries in the ferment.

Individual batches were macerated cold prior to a five-day fermentation where the cap temperature was allowed to peak at between 30 – 32C. The wine remained on skins post fermentation to optimise tannin extraction whilst locking in the rich ruby colour. Drained and pressed; this wine was aged in a mix of stainless- steel tank and French oak puncheons for nine months during which time it underwent a complete malolactic fermentation.

ANALYSIS

• Alcohol - 14.0%
• pH - 3.73
• Titratable Acidity - 5.4g/L
• Residual Sugar - 0.4g/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.

GOLD

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

4.5 STARS

• WineState New Releases 2022 - Top in Category
• WineOrbit: Sam Kim 2022

"Youthfully fruited and attractively lifted, the bouquet shows sweet plum, red cherry, olive and roasted nut characters with a hint of mushroom. It’s succulent and supple in the mouth displaying fleshy texture and finely woven tannins. Beautifully layered and lingering with sweet berry flavours. At its best: now to 2025."

91 POINTS

• Cameron Douglas MS 2022

"Flavours of baking spices and dry stone mineral mix with red cherry, raspberry and red berry orchard fruits. Fine wood and fruit tannins with  medium+ acid line deliver a wine of pinosity and freshness, balance and charm. An easy drinking decision for summer 2023 through 2026."

Right in the heart of the magical Waihopai Valley, a million miles from anywhere, lies The Ned - one of Marlborough's most famous peaks - and the childhood playground for founder and winemaker, Brent Marris. It's a place where nights are two degrees colder and days two degrees hotter. Where possibilities take hold and good times unfold, where the young at heart thrive. And where there's liveliness and adventure in every bottle.