Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2020

Following a mild winter, the 2019-2020 growing season was generally cool natured with cold, wet weather at flowering delivering a very light set in Bannockburn, Pisa and Bendigo (crops up to 50% down). February was wet with double the average amount of rainfall and March followed with less rainfall, but it all fell over the same week. March was one of the coolest in recent times which slowed the final ripening period. These conditions resulted in a Pinot Noir with intense colour and a highly concentrated core.

Wine making notes
Our 2020 Pinot Noir is a Central Otago blend that represents the best attributes of the selected vineyards and of course, the 2020 season. The fruit was hand harvested at optimal ripeness with harvest dates ranging from late March to late April 2020. Nine different ferments went into the blend ranging from 0-50% whole bunches per fermenter with the resulting blend having around 18% whole clusters, which aids the tannin structure and aromatics of the wine. The total time on skins ranging from 18-28 days. The wine was aged in fine grain French oak: 25% new, 30% 1 year old and the balance was 2-5 year old barriques for approximately 12 months. Our winemaker, Jen Parr, selected fruit from exceptional Central Otago vineyards with an emphasis on cooler sites to create a fresh and elegant wine that will age gracefully.

This wine is vegan.

Alcohol: 13.5%
PH: 3.68
T.A: 5.88
Residual Sugar: dry

Awards and reviews

Gold, Champion Pinot Noir, Regional Champion Pinot Noir Central Otago and Waitaki – Aotearoa Regional Wine Competition

5 stars, 98 pts, Top 5 Finalist Pinot Noir of the Year 2021 – Winestate Magazine (Michael Cooper)
“This classy regional blend was hand-picked and matured in French oak casks (25% new).  Full, bright ruby, it is fragrant, mouthfilling and supple, with concentrated cherry, plum, spice and herb flavours, nutty, savoury notes adding complexity, and a smooth, long finish.  Well worth cellaring”

5 stars, 95 points – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
“A stunning expression, it’s gorgeously fragrant on the nose with dark cherry, sweet plum, dried herb, toasted nut and subtle mushroom notes. The palate delivers outstanding weight and depth, wonderfully complemented by silken texture and loads of fine tannins. Harmonious and flavoursome, making it hugely appealing. At its best: now to 2030”.

94 points, excellent – Cameron Douglas MS
“Seductively complex, fragrant, very floral and varietal with aromas of dark raspberry and black cherry, baking spices and violets with a light smoky French oak allure. Equally complex on the palate with a youthfully firm texture. Plenty of tannin and acidity to contrast the core of fruit, naturally bold mineral seam and fine wild dried herb savoury moments. Oak is gently sweet and ever-present but judiciously placed adding complexity and foundation. An excellent example, well made and ready for drinking from late 2022 or early 2023 through 2030”.

5 stars, 18.5+/20, 94 pts – Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews
“Deep, ruby-black colour, moderately full, lighter on the rim. The nose is full; savoury aromas filled the glass, thyme, earth entwined with dark cherries, black raspberries, plums, unfolding sweet spice. Medium-bodied, elegantly presented fruit aromas of cherries, black raspberries and a hint of plums, the fruit has a fresh and fragrant core, melded with dark earth, thyme, black pepper and cinnamon. The mouthfeel is velvety with fine-grained tannin extraction and a touch of creaminess; spices linger and elevate the finish. The fruit has good concentration and depth of flavour, poised and lifted, very attractive. This is a well-balanced Pinot Noir with ripe fruit, earth and spice details, depth, and weight on a velvety palate. Match with lamb rack and beef fillet over the next 5 years. Handpicked, 0-50% whole bunch, average around 18% whole clusters, fermented to 13.5% alc, time on skins ranging from 18-28 days. Aged in French oak for approx 12 months, 25% new oak, 30% 1-year-old and the balance in 2-5-year-old barriques. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) Oct 2021”

18.5/20 – Joelle Thomson
“Plush plum and dark cherry flavours make this Pinot incredibly approachable and smooth so it’s an incredibly easy to love wine right now but has the structure to age well for the next five years at least. It’s a blend of nine different ferments of Pinot Noir, which range from zero to 50% whole bunches in the overall blend. This helps lift the beautiful aromatic fruit flavours in the wine, which was aged for one year in French oak, of which 25% was new – a nice subtle touch which is pretty modest, given that oak maturation included significantly more than this as a matter of course, even as recently as five to 10 years ago. This is a beautiful wine for drinking now and Jen Parr is one of the most experienced winemakers in Central Otago today, a place she calls home after emigrating from the United States”.

93 points, Silver – Decanter World Wine Awards 2022
“Classic aromas of dried herbs, spices, black cherry, raspberry, cola, vanilla and hints of savoury notes. Quite polished and delicious.”