Description
Te Whare Ra Pinot Noir 2018 is produced 67% from grapes from TWR’s Pinot Noir vineyard and 33% from Clayvin vineyards, both certified organic and both from the Southern Valley area of Marlborough which has lower yields and higher clay content than the Wairau flood plain, meaning more depth and structure in the wines. Fruit and texture are usual for Marlborough Pinots and this medium-bodied wine is no exception with very evident red cherries and strawberries. But TWR Pinot Noir has much, much more partly because of the very warm vintage and partly due to the clay content of the vineyards. Te Whare Ra Pinot Noir 2018 is aromatic in a very elegant way, quite Burgundian in style. There is a great mix of complexity, structure and elegance. Multi-dimensional flavours persist in the long finish – red fruits, a touch of mocha, spice like anise and clove and savouriness. As with all TWR wines, this Pinot has been given sufficient time on its lees in the winery to build texture and complexity. The tannins are evident yet fine-grained and, with the refreshing acidity, give the wine its structure; the texture is silky smooth. A seriously refined Pinot Noir which has a lot of fans. This wine will keep improving over the next few years but is already an exceptional wine that can be enjoyed now.
Te Whare Ra Winery or TWR is a small, family-run vineyard and winery. The winemakers, Anna and Jason Flowerday, say that all winemakers are obsessed with Pinot Noir because it is the most challenging variety to grow and it is very unforgiving of mistakes. And you can tell that they themselves are obsessed; for instance, they use at least 8 different clones of Pinot Noir. All grapes are hand-picked and hand sorted. Some native yeasts are used but also some specially selected yeasts. Barrels from different coopers are used for different parcels and there is minimal intervention in the grape-growing and wine-making process. These are winemakers who really care about the end product and it shows in all their wines.
You can also buy this wine as part of a mixed case of all my TWR wines.