Wine of the Week NZ
Stephen Wong MW in Wines of the Week Become a member to view this article
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Te Kairanga John Martin Pinot Noir 2024, Martinborough, NZD $43
A selection of the best parcels from the Todd, McLeod and Home vineyards, 2024 is the result of smaller crop with a bit of January heat followed by a long, dry season thereafter. The clonal mix included Abel this year. Everything is hand-picked, hand-sorted and fully destemmed. The extraction was via hand plunging and fermentation was by native yeasts. The wine aged for 10 months in oak, 21% of which was new.
Lovely violets here alongside purple fruit, boysenberry and raspberry. Vibrant and elegant, very balanced and with sleek submerged tannins. The structure creates excellent flow, allowing the fruit to unfold long and late on the palate. Excellent acidity followed by a gentle grip right on the end, resulting in an elegant mid-weight pinot noir with presence.
Very primary currently, it needs time to gain complexity before revealing its full potential . (Screwcap)
Score: 94 ★★★★ – view original tasting note
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink: 2026 to 2034
Food: lamb rack with a herb crust
Stockists: Foley Wine Club (Te Kairanga Wines), Martinborough Wine Merchants and online; Moore Wilsons, Wellington and online; Fine Wine Delivery Co. online (NZ)
Ranked: #3 of 15 2024 Pinot Noir from Martinborough
Awarded:Â Top Rank
Wine Classification: 2 Merits