…generously complex

Nga Waka Wines was established by Roger Parkinson and his family back in 1988. Roger’s wines respect and celebrate 'terroir'; the understanding that a wine expresses and reflects its ‘sense of place’. The winery name Nga Waka was chosen to reflect this sense of place. Taken from Nga Waka A Kupe (The Canoes of Kupe), the three hills, which lie like upturned canoes, forming a backdrop to the town of Martinborough. Roger crafts rich, complex wines, with excellent structure, texture and balance. Nga Waka’s vineyards are all accredited to Sustainable Winegrowing NZ, reflecting the importance attached to sustainable practices and preserving the land for future generations.
The story of this single vineyard wine goes back to 1999 when they planted 0.8 hectares of Pinot Noir and since then have leased this unique site. The soil profile is a classic Martinborough mix of shallow alluvial silts over old river gravels, with the fruit coming off carefully managed low cropping vines. During my time in the wine industry, this 2020 is one of the best Pinot Noir vintages I have tasted from Martinborough. And this ‘Lease Block’ an absolutely outstanding wine. With such quality to work with, the challenge was how best to showcase and express the structural and textural elements in equal measure. So 15% of the fruit was whole bunch fermented, with around 3 weeks maceration on skins, with regular daily plunging of the cap. Once Roger was happy the wine was transferred into French oak barriques, with 30% being new oak for 16 months. The finished wine is non-fined and unfiltered.

★ In your glass you will be greeted by a deep purple-red colour with a shining hue. On the developing nose you are seduced by aromas of ripe dark cherries, plums, truffles, dried herbs and vanilla oak. The palate transforms those rich, earthy aromas into intense flavours celebrating those dark cherries, ripe plums, truffles, dried herbs and forest floor nuances. This engaging palate has an elegant textural character due to not being fined or filtered. Adding another layer of richness and depth, which is deftly supported by controlled taught tannins, natural fruit acidity and refined oak from meticulous barrel maturation. This beautifully balanced wine has a youthful energy, and just the right amount of grip on the broad palate flowing through to a memorable finish.

This 2020 Nga Waka ‘Lease Block’ Martinborough Pinot Noir has 13.5% Alc./vol. Classic dry style. Decant for 45-60 mins and serve in a generously shaped wine glass at 15°-17°C. *NZ$58.99

CELLARING POTENTIAL: *(Review 27/8/22)
With decanting, approachable now; though it would appreciate another 2-3 years and should age gracefully for another 12-15 years.

FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Perfect wine pairing with roast duck, lamb cutlets, crusted rack of veal, pork-n-crackling, rabbit pie, rich mushroom and truffle pasta dishes, along with earthy vegetarian cuisine, and aged earthy cheeses - enjoy.