Pinot Noir is probably the most frustrating, and at times infuriating, wine grape in the world. However, when successful, it produces some of the most sublime wines known to man. It is a thin-skinned grape, which grows in small, tight bunches, and performs well on well-drained, deepish limestone based subsoils such as those inBurgundy's Côte d'Or.
Pinot Noir is more susceptible than other varieties to over cropping - concentration and varietal character disappear rapidly if yields are excessive and yields as little as 25hl/ha are the norm for some climats of the Côte d`Or.
Because of the thinness of the skins, Pinot Noir wines are lighter in colour, body and tannins. The best Pinots have grip, complexity and an intensity of fruit seldom found in wine from other grapes. Young Pinot Noir can smell almost sweet, redolent with freshly crushed raspberries, cherries and redcurrants. When mature, the best wines develop a sensuous, silky mouth feel with the fruit flavours deepening and gamey "sous-bois" nuances emerging.
Pinot is grown in many places, with the best still found in Burgundy. It's key role in Champagne is important, and it is grown with great success in the Carneros and Russian River Valleys of California, in Martinborough and Central Otago in New Zealand, and in the regions surrounding Melbourne here in Australia.
Decanter – Founded in 1993, Craggy Range is known for its wines from both Gimblett Gravels in Hawke's Bay and Te Muna Road in Martinborough. The Te Muna Road vineyard is separated into two distinct terraces, with Pinot Noir grown on the rocky, clay infused soils of the upper terrace. Hand harvested grapes are fermented in a combination of French oak and open top stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged in French oak barriques, of which around 25% are new. Drinking window 2020-2028.
World Wine – "Rich, concentrated pinot noir with ripe plum, black cherry, liquorice, spice, anise and nutty oak flavours. A powerful wine that's a pleasure to taste now but has the potential to develop well in bottle. Drink 2018 to 2026.
James Halliday – From Swallowfield. The hand-picked fruit is destemmed for a whole berry ferment on skins for 12 days, matured in French oak (20% new) for 10 months. Bright, clear colour; a gloriously fragrant and flowery bouquet, the flavours of the palate precise replicas of the bouquet.
James Halliday – Clones MV6, 777 and 114, 30% whole bunch fermentation and maceration, matured for
12 months in 1-3yo French barriques. Packs a punch with dark berries/stewed plums,
spices and ripe tannins. Obviously picked when ripe, not too late. Its best years are in
front of it.
James Halliday – ‘Excellent purple-crimson; the bouquet is perfumed with red fruits and flowers, the palate charged with red fruits supported by first class tannins of the type found in good Burgundies. Will develop with supreme grac.
James Suckling – Aromas of violet flowers, spiced plums and blueberries with background, spiced wood, leading to a palate that has a very fleshy, succulent and zesty core of ripe dark cherries, fine tannin and a plush, supple finish. Drink now. Screw cap.
All wines over $25 per bottle will be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 5-10 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
All wines over $25 per bottle will be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 5-10 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
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