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PINOT NOIR Canterbury 2007
The Kaituna Vineyard
Each year we craft this wine around a blend of the “old’ vines (now 34 years old) and the younger vines (14 years old) which are a selection of Burgundian clones (777, 115, 113, 114 and 667). The old vines consistently produce a wine with rich, earthy and spicy fruit and soft tannins. The younger vines contribute fresh, vibrant fruit and mineral flavours with a structure of abundant, firmer fruit tannins.
2007 was an exceptional year and combined with very low yields produced a wine of exceptional power, concentration, multi-layered complexity and finesse. The nose is already entrancing with aromas of black cherries, plums and wild berry fruits and a suggestion of violets, smoke and exotic spices. The palate is rich and concentrated. The wine reveals layers of flavours and is tightening up by a backbone of abundant fine-grained tannins. It already shows the potential of the vintage and will reveal greater complexity and develop a gorgeous/glorious silky mouth-feel with bottle age.
Technical Notes:
The home vineyard was picked on the 4, 18 and 26 April 2007 and the grapes were de-stemmed and fermented in four batches. After five days of cold maceration on the skins, the must was inoculated with a range of cultured yeasts. The wines were hand-plunged over a prolonged skin contact time of 20 to 30 days where the peak temperature was 33°C. The wine was pressed directly to small oak barrels (100% new oak) from three artisan Burgundian coopers. The wine completed malolactic fermentation in spring and was blended and racked to tank after 20 months in barrel on light lees. Bottled 14 September 2009.
Results:
- 5 Star “The 2007 vintage is classy. Deeply coloured, with a ripely scented, slightly peppery bouquet, it has sweet-fruit delights and striking depth of cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, rich and supple.” Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wines 2011
- 5 Star "Classy Canterbury red, deeply coloured, with a ripely scented, slightly peppery bouquet, sweet-fruit delights and striking depth of cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, rich and supple. Described by one judge (who scored it highly) as “a pinot noir for cabernet lovers." Winestate Magazine November 2010
- 5 Star 94/100 "This is a seriously good Pinot. Still looking youthful, the nose displays red/black cherry, spice and game characters. The palate is concentrated showing velvety texture, bright acidity and supple tannins. The flavours are beautifully woven, making the wine irresistible and seductive. At its best: now to 2015." Sam Kim Wine Orbit 2010 www.wineorbit.co.nz
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91/100 4 & 1/2 Star "Dense, rich, rustic Pinot Noir with an almost chewy texture. Produced from one of the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in the country this appealing, savoury wine certainly shows the benefit of vine age. Blackberry, plum, raspberry, woodsmoke and star anise flavours." Bob Campbell www.bobswinereviews.com
One of Bob Campbell’s Top 10 New Zealand Pinot Noirs – CUISINE 100th Issue
2006 vintage:
- 5 star 94/100 “ Rich, dense and warming wine with a complex array of plum, licorice, earth, forest floor and spicy oak. The wine reflects the benefits of vine age; Kaituna Vineyard is home to some of the countries oldest pinot noir vines” Gourmet Traveller Wine Nov 2008
- 4 & 1/2 stars ”This striking wine shows bright medium red colour, beautifully lifted nose displaying black plum, cherry and floral characters with a touch of spice. The palate is ripe and finely textured with excellent harmony and balance.” Sam Kim Wine Orbit 2008 www.wineorbit.co.nz
- 4 stars Cuisine Magazine Oct 2008
- Silver Medal New Zealand International Wine Show 2007
- Best of the Best Wine Guide 2009 “With some vine age, this label once again shows the strength and texture of the best of pinot noir, very classy in its fruit and mouth–feel. Approachable now and opening up beautifully. One of New Zealand’s finest” Peter Saunders Food and Beverage Magazine
- “A striking pinot displaying incredible harmony and balance with layers of black plum, spice, earth and floral characters. A real treat.” Sam Kim Christchurch Press 27 Sept 2008
2005 vintage:
- Gold Medal Royal Easter Wine Show 2007
- 5 star 96/100 Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Aug 2007
- 5 star 93/100 Bob Campbell www.bobswinereviews.com
2004 vintage:
- Gold Medal Japan Wine Show 2006
- BLUE - GOLD Medal Sydney International Wine Show 2006
- 5 star Winestate Magazine Jul/Aug 2006
- Gold Medal Bragato Wine Awards 2006
- 5 star Hawke’s Bay Today 21 April 2007
2003 vintage:
- Gold Medal Bragato Wine Awards 2004
- 5 star Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wines 2005
- 5 star NZ Home and Entertainment Feb/Mar 2005
- 5 star WINESTATE MAGAZINE July/Aug 2005
2002 vintage:
- Gold Medal Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2003
- 5 star WINESTATE MAGAZINE July/Aug 2004
- 5 star Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wines 2004 (Potential Classic)
2001 vintage:
- Gold Medal Liquorland TOP 100 International Wine Show 2002
- Gold Medal Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2002
- 5 star Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wines 2003
2000 vintage:
- Gold Medal Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2001
- Gold Medal Liquorland Top 100 Wine Awards 2001
1999 vintage:
- Gold Medal Liquorland Top 100 Wine Awards 2000
1998 vintage:
- 5 star 96/100 CUISINE Magazine New Zealand Reds September 2000
1993 vintage:
- Gold Medal & Trophy for Champion Pinot Noir Liquorland Royal Easter Show 1995
