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Single Vineyard
Pinot Noir

Our Single Vineyard wines are made from grapes grown at Auntsfield Estate.

Each wine shows the distinctive characteristics of ripeness, texture and minerality – qualities unique to the ancient Greywacke rock and Loess clay soils of the vineyard. Pinot Noir holds a special place in our hearts.

We grow the grapes and make this wine with particular care and attention. The resulting wines are distinctive for their lifted aromatics, silky mouth feel and the powerful expression of pure fruit, ripe tannin and balanced oak.

COLOUR: Deep ruby

AROMA: Fragrant black cherry and rich plum fruit is subtly lifted by layers of dark red florals and complex savoury forest floor, dark chocolate, cigar box.

PALATE: The palate of this wine shows a rich silky texture, which is full and concentrated. Pure flavours of ripe berry fruit and dark plum fill the pallet. This fruit is supported by powerful yet fine polished tannins giving a plush yet silky texture with seamless length.

ANALYSIS: Alc 14% | pH 3.50 | TA. 5.2 g/L

WINEMAKER NOTES

This wine was made with a minimalist philosophy, designed to reveal the characteristics of the grapes and the vineyard. The fruit was hand-harvested, hand-sorted, gently destemmed and gravity-fed to tank. Fermented with indigenous yeast from Auntsfield vineyard. Careful hand plunging was utilised to gently extract flavours and tannins from the skins. Maturation occurred in French oak barriques for approximately 12 months.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES

The 2023 season was excellent. Regular winter rainfall and a cool spring encouraged canopy growth but kept cropping levels at a balanced level. Summer had regular rainfall but stayed relatively cool resulting in healthy vines with no disease or water stress. There was a slow progression into Autumn with a long drawn-out ripening period where the fruit reached optimum ripeness in perfect harvest conditions.

COLOUR: Deep ruby

AROMA: Fragrant black cherry and rich plum fruit is subtly lifted by layers of dark red florals and complex savoury forest floor, dark chocolate, cigar box.
PALATE: The palate of this wine shows the concentration and elegance of the vintage. Pure flavours of berry fruit and dark plum fill the pallet. This fruit is supported by finely polished tannins giving a plush yet silky texture with seamless length.
ANALYSIS: Alc 13.5% | pH 3.66 | TA. 5.3 g/L

WINEMAKER NOTES
This wine was made with a minimalist philosophy, designed to reveal the characteristics of the grapes and the vineyard. The fruit was hand-harvested, hand-sorted, gently destemmed and gravity-fed to tank. Fermented with indigenous yeast from Auntsfield vineyard. Careful hand plunging was utilised to gently extract flavours and tannins from the skins. Maturation occurred in French oak barriques for approximately 10 months.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES
The 2022 season had regular rainfall and excellent growing conditions for the vines. This resulted in strong canopies but a smaller than average crop of grapes to harvest. The wet spring period over flowering lead to small berries and bunches, but rewarded vineyards who strive for lower cropping levels through meticulous canopy management. There was a slow progression into Autumn with a drawn-out ripening period where the small crop of fruit reached optimum ripeness.

TASTING NOTES:

COLOUR:  Deep ruby

AROMA: Fragrant black cherry and rich plum fruit is subtly lifted by layers of dark red florals and complex savoury forest floor, dark chocolate, cigar box.

PALATE:  The palate of this wine shows the concentration of the vintage. Pure flavours of ripe berry fruit and dark plum fill the pallet. This fruit is supported by powerful yet finely polished tannins giving a plush yet silky texture with seamless length.

ANALYSIS:  Alc 14% | pH 3.56   | TA. 5.0 g/L

WINEMAKER NOTES:

This wine was made with a minimalist philosophy, designed to reveal the characteristics of the grapes and the vineyard. The fruit was hand-harvested, hand-sorted, gently destemmed and gravity-fed to tank. Fermented with indigenous yeast from Auntsfield vineyard. Careful hand plunging was utilised to gently extract flavours and tannins from the skins.  Maturation occurred in French oak barriques for approximately 10 months.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES:

The 2021 season was another amazing vintage. Regular winter rainfall and an unseasonably cold spring kept cropping levels very low. These cropping levels were some of the lowest ever seen in Marlborough. Summer was very dry but stayed relatively cool resulting in healthy vines with no disease or water stress. There was a slow progression into Autumn with a long drawn-out ripening period where the fruit reached optimum ripeness in perfect harvest conditions.

TASTING NOTES:

COLOUR:  Deep ruby

AROMA: Rich Black cherry and plum fruit is subtly lifted by layers of dark red florals and complex savoury aromas of dark chocolate, cigar box and olive tapenade.

PALATE:  The palate of this wine shows a rich silky texture, which is full and concentrated. Pure flavours of ripe berry fruit and dark plum fill the pallet. This fruit is supported by powerful yet fine polished tannins giving a plush yet silky texture with seamless length.

ANALYSIS:  Alc 14% | pH 3.52   | TA. 5.7 g/L

This wine was made with a minimalist philosophy, designed to enable the characteristics of the grapes and the vineyard to be revealed. The fruit was hand-harvested, hand-sorted, gently destemmed and gravity-fed to tank. Fermented with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeasts, careful hand plunging was utilised to gently extract flavours and tannins from the skins.  Maturation occurred in French oak barriques for approximately 10 months.

The 2020 season was amazing! If you could reproduce the weather conditions of this season every year you would. Regular winter rainfall and a cool spring encouraged canopy growth but kept cropping levels low. Summer was very dry but stayed relatively cool resulting in healthy vines with no disease or water stress. There was a slow progression into Autumn with a long ripening period where the fruit reached optimum ripeness in perfect harvest conditions.

COLOUR:  Deep ruby

AROMA: Rich Black cherry and plum fruit is subtly lifted by layers of dark red florals and complex savoury aromas of dark chocolate, cigar box and olive tapenade.

PALATE:  The palate of this wine shows a rich silky texture, which is full and concentrated. Pure flavours of ripe berry fruit and dark plum fill the pallet. This fruit is supported by powerful yet fine polished tannins giving a plush yet silky texture with seamless length.

ANALYSIS:  Alc 13.5% | pH 3.52   | TA. 5.3 g/L

This wine was made with a minimalist philosophy, designed to enable the characteristics of the grapes and the vineyard to be revealed. The fruit was hand-harvested, hand-sorted, gently destemmed and gravity-fed to tank. Fermented with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeasts, careful hand plunging was utilised to gently extract flavours and tannins from the skins.  Maturation occurred in French oak barriques for approximately 10 months.

The 2019 season was characterised by warm and very dry weather. Regular winter rainfall and a calm spring got the vines off to a great start. Summer followed a pattern of warm days and cool nights with lots of sunshine, perfect for vibrant and pure fruit characters. The natural vineyard yields were very low. We focused on opening canopies and manipulating leaf to create a cool ripening environment, allowing fruit to ripen slowly to optimum ripeness in early Autumn.

COLOUR: Deep ruby

AROMA: Rich Black cherry and plum fruit is subtly lifted by layers of dark red florals and complex savoury aromas of dark chocolate, cigar box and olive tapenade.

PALATE: The palate of this wine shows a rich silky texture, which is full and concentrated. Flavours of ripe berry fruit and dark plum fill the pallet. This fruit is supported by powerful yet fine polished tannins giving a plush yet silky texture with seamless length.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 14.5% | pH 3.60 | TA 5.0

WINEMAKER NOTES:  This wine was made with a minimalist philosophy, designed to enable the characteristics of the grapes and the vineyard to be revealed. The fruit was hand-harvested, hand-sorted, gently destemmed and gravity-fed to tank. Fermented with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeasts, careful hand plunging was utilised to gently extract flavours and tannins from the skins. Maturation occurred in French oak barriques for approximately 10 months.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES:  The 2018 season was characterised by regular rainfall at key growth stages. A very dry and warm early summer was followed by wetter more challenging conditions with vineyard work focused around reducing yields and keeping the canopies open and dry. This allowed the fruit to ripen in the cooler conditions of early autumn to optimum ripeness. A season that rewarded dedicated viticulture, vigilance, low cropping and earlier ripening fruit.

COLOUR: Deep ruby

AROMA: Rich Black cherry and plum fruit is subtly lifted by layers of dark red florals and complex savoury aromas of dark chocolate, cigar box and olive tapenade.

PALATE: The palate of this wine shows a rich silky texture, which is full and concentrated. Flavours of ripe berry fruit and dark plum fill the pallet. This fruit is supported by powerful yet fine polished tannins giving a plush yet silky texture with seamless length.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 14.0% | pH 3.5 | TA 5.1

WINEMAKER NOTES:  This wine was made with a minimalist philosophy, designed to enable the characteristics of the grapes and the vineyard to be revealed. The fruit was hand-harvested, hand-sorted, gently destemmed and gravity-fed to tank. Fermented with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeasts, careful hand plunging was utilised to gently extract flavours and tannins from the skins. Maturation occurred in French oak barriques for approximately 10 months.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES:  The 2017 season was characterised by a cold spring and cool growing season, resulting in low natural cropping levels. A long Autumn produced excellent conditions, allowing the fruit to ripen over an extended period of time providing clean fruit with small dark berries. A season that rewarded vigilance, lower cropping levels and an earlier ripening period before any late Autumn rain.

 

COLOUR: Deep ruby

AROMA:  Ripe dark raspberry and plum fruit is subtly lifted by layers of dark red florals and complex savoury aromas of dark chocolate, cigar box, barbequed meat and olive tapenade.

PALATE:  The palate of this wine shows a rich silky texture, which is full and concentrated. Flavours of ripe raspberry and dark plumbs fill the pallet. This fruit is supported by powerful yet fine grained tannins giving a plush yet silky texture to the pallet with seamless length.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 14.0% | pH 3.43 | TA 5.1

WINEMAKER NOTES:  This wine was made with a minimalist philosophy, designed to enable the characteristics of the grapes and the vineyard to be revealed. The fruit was hand-harvested, hand-sorted, gently destemmed and gravity-fed to tank. Fermented with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeasts, careful hand plunging was utilised to gently extract flavours and tannins from the skins. Maturation occurred in French oak barriques for approximately 10 months.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES:  The 2016 season was characterised by moderate yields resulting excellent vine growth from rainfall at key growth stages in the Spring. A very dry and warm summer followed with vineyard work focused around reduced yields by hand to optimal levels. This allowed the fruit to ripen over an extended period of time in the cool and settled conditions of early autumn. A season that rewarded vigilance, lower cropping levels and delayed ripening in the vineyard.

 

COLOUR: Deep ruby

AROMA: Dark cherry, blackberry and floral aromas are complimented by more savoury aromas of dark chocolate, forest floor and cigar box.

PALATE: The palate of this wine shows a rich silky texture which is full and concentrated. Interwoven flavours of spice, dark fruit and savoury characters are revealed by a succulent and fine tannin structure. The structure of this wine is tight, yet rich and full with seamless length.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 14.0% | pH 3.54 | TA 5.5

WINEMAKER NOTES

This wine was made with a minimalist philosophy, designed to enable the characteristics of the grapes and the vineyard to be revealed. The fruit was hand-harvested, hand-sorted, gently destemmed and gravity-fed to tank. Fermented with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeasts, careful hand plunging was utilised to gently extract flavours and tannins from the skins. Maturation occurred in French oak barriques for approximately 10 months.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES

The 2015 season offered up many challenges but particularly a cold windy Spring which reduced yields to very low levels. This fruit developed through a warm summer and mild weather during the harvest period, allowing the fruit to ripen to optimal levels in the cool and settled Autumn conditions. A season of low crops and incredible fruit ripeness and intensity.

COLOUR: Deep ruby

AROMA: Dark cherry, blackberry and floral aromas are complimented by more savoury aromas of dark chocolate, forest floor and cigar box.

PALATE: The palate of this wine shows a rich silky texture which is full and concentrated. Interwoven flavours of spice, dark fruit and savoury characters are revealed by a succulent and fine tannin structure. The structure of this wine is tight, yet rich and full with seamless length.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 14.0% | pH 3.51 | TA 5.1

WINEMAKER NOTES

This wine was made with a minimalist philosophy, designed to enable the characteristics of the grapes and the vineyard to be revealed. The fruit was hand-harvested, hand-sorted, gently destemmed and gravity-fed to tank. Fermented with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeasts, careful hand plunging was utilised to gently extract flavours and tannins from the skins. Maturation occurred in French oak barriques for approximately 10 months.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES

The 2014 season was characterised by naturally low yields and warm settled weather with very little rainfall. Autumn produced cool and settled conditions which were some of the best seen in many years. This ripened small berried Pinot Noir with near perfect small to medium sized bunches.

REVIEWS:

  • The 2023 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir leads with red cherries and strawberries, star anise and cocoa. In the mouth, the wine is fresh, structural, pretty and long, with tannins that feel both present and pliable. This is a lovely wine and comers warmly recommended. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

    93 Points – ERIN LARKIN for ROBERT PARKER WINE ADVOCATE – April 2026

  • Fruit-driven and mellow with red cherries, strawberries and some baking spices. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Silky texture and gentle fruit on the palate with an easygoing, delicious finish. Sustainable. Drink now. Screw cap.

    92 Points – JAMES SUCKLING for JAMESSUCKLING.COM – December 2025

  • This wine won me over slowly. It leans towards the dark side – dark in the glass, the fruit all gently spiced, dark berries and currants. With time in the glass, the acidity becomes more active, the palate lengthens and a more engaging personality emerges. Delicious, heart-warming pinot.

    JOHN SAKER for TE WHENUA – April 2025

  • Offering gorgeous fruit purity with seductive complexity, the bouquet shows dark plum, rich floral, olive, clove, and toasted almond nuances. The palate delivers excellent weight and persistency, splendidly framed by fleshy texture and polished tannins. Wonderfully composed with multi-layered mouthfeel and alluring flavours, finishing impressively long and refined. At its best: now to 2036.

    95 Points – SAM KIM for WINE ORBIT January 2025

  • 1 of 82 wines selected for the exclusive Fine Wines of New Zealand List, compiled by leading wine experts to showcase New Zealand wines that go above and beyond in displaying consistent quality and distinction. (Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017).

    Finalist, FINE WINES OF NEW ZEALAND. 2019

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