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2024 was a brilliant vintage in Marlborough in terms of quality, not so good in terms of quantity. Mixed weather in the spring of 2023 resulted in a poor flowering and consequently low yields, down almost 40% on average across most of our varieties. Thereafter however the weather was perfect with several very hot days and crucially, later in the season, cool nights. This meant the low cropping fruit ripened perfectly and there was absolutely no disease pressure. It also meant we had one of our earliest ever harvests with these Pinot Gris grapes being picked on 18 March 2024.
Our Pinot Gris block was planted in 2006, so it is now gaining vine age, and this is starting to be reflected in our increasingly complex Pinot Gris style. It is important with Pinot Gris to carefully manage yields. Left unrestrained this variety can easily get out of hand and lose its precise varietal character. When well managed, with low yields, an enticing, crisp and complex wine is achievable, given the right vineyard location and an agreeable growing season. This wine was largely fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, but a small portion was aged in seasoned oak barrels which, along with time on lees, contributes significantly to the wine’s complexity. It was bottled on 6 November 2024.
Pale straw, lemon in colour, the nose is instantly appealing with a rich, spicy top-note, displaying complex garden florals and compelling aromas of poached pears, ripe peaches and nectarines, grapefruit, mandarin, and spicy cloves. The palate continues the spicy theme with the myriad of spices giving great mouthfeel, texture and creamy complexity to this rich, elegant wine. The nashi pear and peach base is supported by a orange citrus component and a noticeable herbal influence with hints of basil. The lees influence gives it a beguiling grainy character. It has perfectly poised acidity and a refreshing crispness. The long, elegant finish is very attractive, and it will certainly develop even greater complexity with time to age in the bottle.
Technical notes
Alcohol: 13.0%, Acidity: 7.2, PH: 3.44, Residual Sugar: 4.3 g/l.
Reviews
Again perfumed & floral, apple melds with nectarine & pear. Ripeness/fruit sweetness leads the way, musk & wine gum joined by stone fruits & apple before the core of acidity does its job bringing real juiciness and freshness. With time in the glass this builds very nicely and the length increases; it’s just simply a rather nice wine in a very good place. Excellent
Mark Henderson. ODT March 2025
This is immediately appealing on the nose with poached pear, rockmelon, fig, and white floral aromas. The palate is equally satisfying with juicy fruit intensity, combined with silky texture and rounded mouthfeel, finishing long and refreshing. Finely expressed with plenty of tasty flavours. At its best: now to 2029.
94/100 *****
Sam Kim. Wine Orbit February 2025
The very harmonious 2024 vintage (****) was estate-grown in the Wairau Valley and handled in tanks. A good, all-purpose wine, it is full-bodied and fleshy, with vibrant, ripe peach, pear and spice flavours, gentle acidity and a basically dry (4 grams/litre of residual sugar) finish. Drink now or cellar. ****
Michael Cooper April 2025
There's a burgeoning sense of richness and intensity in this Pinot Gris, something like melon skins or lime peel that gives an impression of phenolic ripeness. In the mouth a tiny bit of residual sugar helps with that sense of richness, but the fleshy peach fruit runs into that fruit skin grippiness and texture again to give this some heft. Well balanced by its clean, tangy acidity into quite a long finish. 91/100
Tom Cannavan. Wine-pages.com May 2025