Nga Waka 'Martinborough' Pinot Noir 2016
Grape Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Growing Region: Martinborough - New Zealand
Founder / Winemaker: Roger Parkinson
5 Stars ★★★★★
I have said on a number of occasions - Roger lives and breathes Pinot Noir and is one of world’s leading exponents of his craft, expressing the varietals ‘sense of place’ - into a treat for the senses. 2016 was a recompensing growing season for many vineyards in Martinborough after a very testing previous vintage. As with all of Roger’s wines, this is an honest interpretation and expressing of the true character and quality of balanced Pinot Noir.
As the fruit came in from the three different sites, between 10 - 20% was whole bunch fermented, with the balance being de-stemmed before having a total maceration time of between 21 - 25 days. The wine then went through malolactic fermentation in barrel, tight-grained French oak barriques, with 30% being new oak to balance the richness of the 2016 fruit. The wine spent a total of 12 months developing and maturing in oak barrel, before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. So do not be surprised if you have a slight haze to your wine and with age it will throw a slight deposit.
This is pure and simply a quality expression of all that is good about Pinot Noir. This is a wine that reflects the growing season, the vineyard sites, varietal typicity, with generous flavours, defined character and most importantly it is perfectly balanced.
• As you pour this wine into your appropriate glass, you will be greeted by a deep red colour with a purple hue. On the nose you are engaged by rich, succulent and powerful Martinborough Pinot Noir aromas showcasing dark cherries along with fresh through to dried herbs, spices, subtle bramble and earthy undertones.
The palate is generous and succulent, along with confidently expressing those classic Martinborough Pinot Noir dark cherries, plums, earthy, savoury flavours infused with dried spices and supported by subtle tannins and balanced oak from barrel maturation. This attention to detail has resulted in a well-structured and finely layered Pinot Noir, all perfectly woven to produce an elegant lingering wine that will reward the senses.
This 2016 Nga Waka ‘Martinborough’ Pinot Noir has 13.5% Alc./vol. Classic dry style. Decant for 30-45 minutes and serve in an appropriately shaped red wine glass at 15°- 17°C.
CELLARING POTENTIAL: *(Review 28/07/19)
Drinking well this coming season; plus will age & reward another 3 - 4 years cellaring.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Perfect wine pairing with lamb cutlets, roast pork, classic Peking duck w/ hoisin sauce, mushroom pasta or pizza, and earthy vegetarian cuisine - enjoy
