Te Wāhi Pinot Noir Cloudy Bay Central Otago 2019

Description

Te Wāhi means ‘the place’ in te reo Māori, reflecting both the importance of terroir and the sense of finding a second home. It is a powerful wine with an opulent core of dark berry fruit and structured tannins. Over time, warm spices and notes of forest floor flourish and provide complexity..

In 1983 David Hohnen tasted his first Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Captivated by its intensity, he began a journey to bottle the essence of Marlborough and share it with the world. He and winemaker Kevin Judd launched Cloudy Bay in 1985 to international acclaim, with a Sauvignon Blanc that put New Zealand wine on the map. Cloudy Bay’s legacy began in Marlborough with Sauvignon Blanc and now includes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pelorus méthode traditionnelle. The spirit of adventure continues with Te Wāhi, a sophisticated Central Otago Pinot Noir from two special southern vineyards.

Fruit from two complementary Central Otago vineyards is mostly de-stemmed into open-top fermentation tanks, with some whole bunch fermentation. In spring, the wine goes through extended maceration and spontaneous malolactic fermentation. The wine then spends a year or more ageing in French oak barrels before bottling.

The 2019 Te Wāhi Pinot Noir is dark and concentrated, with notes of boysenberry, florals and subtle spice on the nose. The palate is dense, with rich plum and hedgerow berry fruit balanced by a juicy freshness that interplays with the fine tannins to create a balanced and elegant impression. The finish is long, with moreish notes of dark chocolate and blackcurrant.

Te Wāhi’s complex, sophisticated and powerful flavours make it a perfect match for game meats and roasted vegetables. It’s a perfect addition to any winter banquet - try it with slow-roasted lamb shoulder and grilled root vegetables, or beef wellington and parsnip purée.