An exclusively South Island Pinot Noir, sourced from a number of small growers in the esoteric and bohemian quarter of vineyards around Nelson River, with components drawn from good sites in Marlborough. A variety of clones, as well as some diverse microclimes, have provided a great spectrum of flavours to craft an elegant, distinctively varietal, engagingly complex wine. An exemplary, regionally focused Pinot Noir with gentle spice and ample cherry fruit, clearly planned with good food in mind. Raise a glass to all those dedicated, independent growers.

$2199each $263DOZEN EACH DOZEN The quality of fruit is central to Crowded House, sourcing the finest possible from the best growers is fundamental. New Zealand's best vineyards form the foundations of Crowded House, translating into wines that are balanced first and foremost. Parcels from Marlborough, Central Otago and Nelson River have been woven into a tapestry of charming pinosity, robed in gentle tannins and cradled within a basket of lithe oak. Fermented in small batch open top fermenters, a long cold soak is followed by several days of vinification. Some batches are treated to extended skin contact before being pressed to oak. Others are fermented to wild indigenous yeasts before ageing in a mix of new and prior use oak.

Bright ruby red with hues of brick. Raspberries, pomegranates and cherry bouquet, dark chocolate, spices and toast. Long fine tannins intertwine seductively with dark cherries, vanilla, cinnamon and earth, complimented by a generous and silky mouth feel. The palate is fleshy and balanced by fine tannins before a pleasant, lingering finish. The flavours and textures persist long after the last sip.

From plantings dating back to the late 1970s, older well established vines on free draining silty clay loams, yielding fully ripe Pinot Noir grapes with concentrated characters and exemplary varietal expressions. The superlative sites are managed by viticulturist Ivan Sutherland, the fruit is vinified into a robust Burgundian styling by James Healy, both contributed to the genesis at neighbouring Cloudy Bay. An ambitious collation of Dijon clones 777, 667 and 115, Pommard clone 5, Abel and 10/5 from the illustrious Dog Point Vineyard.

$4799each $575DOZEN EACH DOZEN Ivan Sutherland owns extensive Marlborough vineyards and supplies fruit to many of Marlborough's most recognizable labels, the cream of the crop is reserved for Dog Point. The philosophy at around the winemaking operation involves nothing less tham total involvement by the stakeholders, from the vineyard and nurture of the fruit, throughout the entire winemaking process, whilst aiming to preserve the distinctive style and regional expression of Dog Point wines. Following the harvest and crush, fruit is inoculated through the action of wild indigenous yeasts and vinified for two to three weeks, followed by transfer to a selection of seasoned French oak barriques for eighteen months maturation.

Deep ruby colour. Aromas of vibrant ripe red fruit imbued with hints of violet over subtle smoke and earth nuances supplemented by spicy oak savouriness. Richly flavoured with intense red fruits, well balanced subtle sweetness and spicy well integrated oak to a delicate, lingering finish. To accompany rare duck breast or truffled venison pie.

A decidedly regional Pinot Noir, Drift are all about capturing the natural endowments of Marlborough and bringing the goodness of it all to the world. Minimal intervention is a priority, to ensure that the wines clearly expresses the uniqueness of the land. Drift take a decidely eclectic approach to constructing a wine that expresses the totality of all good things Marlborough. The palate is animate with ripe red cherry and raspberry flavours, perfumed by spice notes, supported by gentle tannins and juicy acidity, wrapped in a veil of supply seasoned oak.

$2199each $263DOZEN EACH DOZEN

Dawn and Neil McCallum had been looking for a quality site since 1979, it became clear that Martinborough was the place. Beginning in 1986, the wines of Martinborough were given a seal of origin. Authentification is administered through Martinborough Terrace Appellation of Origin System. A mere 600 plantable hectares in size, the special soils are comprised almost completely of free draining gravels with the same meagre rainfall, aspects and temperatures, unique and homogenous from a viticultural point of view.

$13699each $1643DOZEN EACH DOZEN

The great virtues of Martinborough are the lowest rainfall anywhere on the North Island and a heat summation that's idyllic for Pinot Noir. Seasonal rains are limited to a tiny locality, five kilometres in radius. At the heart of these unique mesoclimes lies an auspicious terroir of wonderfully free draining gravels, the home of Dry River Pinot Noir. Its full and round palate over elegant, velvety textured tannins, defined by delicacy rather than power. The finished wine is aged for a year in a selection of seasoned and new French oak puncheons.

$14499each $1739DOZEN EACH DOZEN

Dry River are a first growth of Martinborough. One of the region's earliest believers. The crescent shaped appellation lies along the edge of a river terrace formed by the Ruamahunga and Huangarua Rivers. An artisanal accord of Tempranillo and Pinot Noir, Viognier and Shiraz. All the varietals are in balance though the tannin profile might give it away. Delicate acidity to underline the fruit, a story of exquisite balance and harmony and elocution, a mineral thread entwines with the faintest hint of dried herb, the finish is long with the freshness of lingering flavours.

$7799each $935DOZEN EACH DOZEN

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Escarpment is a joint venture by Heathcote Estate/ Yabby Lake's dynamic duo, the Messrs Kirby and McKenna. No expense was spared, the pick of Pinot Noir rootstock and clones were established to precious alluvial gravel terraces at the base of Aorangi Ranges. Inspired by the classics of Burgundy, Escarpment expresses the distinctive character of Martinborough's unique terroir. Engaging perfumes, elegant flavours and soft ripe tannins are all hallmarks of the finest Martinborough Pinot Noir.

$4999each $599DOZEN EACH DOZEN Since inaugural vintage, Escarpment has been a Tour de force in Martinborough Pinot Noir, combining power, structure and complexity. Inspired by the classics of Burgundy, winemaking is a combination of new and old world techniques, ideally suited to the intense Escarpment style. Grapes are all hand picked from the estate's Te Muna Road property, Cleland and Bunny Vineyards. Fruit is handled without any mechanical pumping, pressed and treated to an indigenous yeast ferment whilst hand plunged every twelve hours, followed by a course of eighteen days maceration. The finished wine is aged eleven months in a high proportion of new, exclusively French oak barriques.

Satin purple colour with robes of red. A heady perfume, European, expressing earth and richness, fragrant Pinot fruits, cherry and licorice. Elegant palate with rich flavours and soft ripe tannins. The distinctive Escarpment style showing complexity, attractive texture and the perfect mix of black, red and green fruit flavours which make Pinot Noir memorable.

From fruit picked off some of the oldest vineyards in Martinborough, an internationally renowned Pinot Noir appellation. Blessed by superior drainage and cool summers, a combination of slightly heavier soils and bespoke clones on own roots, always render a particularly eloquent Pinot Noir, so very articulate of clime and of place. Escarpment excels at formulating single vineyard wines from their small, but excellent, retinue of sites. Like the best wines of Burgundy, these individualistic editions offer marked differences in character and charm.

$8499each $1019DOZEN EACH DOZEN Escarpment are exemplary wines from special vineyards within Martinborough. The names of the unique vineyard sites and individual Cuvees are also relevant. Legend has it Kupe lead by the stars, voyaged across the ocean to discover Aotearoa. Escarpment celebrates this journey of discovery, an expression of some of the the oldest vines in the district. Fruit is treated to open top ferments in traditional wooden cuvees, hand plunged daily, rack and returned into a high proportion of new French oak barriques for maturation.

Deep scarlet colour. Aromas of ripe red glace fruits and fragrant oak, dark compotes of cherry and of fig, marjoram and violet, scorched chocolate and the vapours of warm, plummy liqueur. Very much an old vine Pinot Noir, presenting a beautifully soft and ripe, pure expression of fruit within an impeccably crafted new world style, will continue to evolve handsomely, a wonderful counterpart to the finest cuisine.

The zenith of new world Pinot Noir, welcome to the Escarpment wonderland, showcasing the prodigious acumen and skill of viticultural maestro Larry McKenna. Vinified from grapes grown to the closely planted Pahi parcel, a pure and delineated expression of a small yet exceptional site. Treated to the labour and love of hand plunged ferments, followed by a long and languid term of age in an artisanal selection of the finest French oak Cuvée. An aromatic plunge into bramble berries, rich florals and earth, ripe, silky texture, incredible length and lingering, technicolour peacock's tail.

$6799each $815DOZEN EACH DOZEN

Grapes for Te Rehua are grown to the elite Barton Vineyard on Huangarua Road Road, from mature vines over twenty years of age. Planted to deep alluvial gravels, for which the Martinborough terraces are renowned, the site supports various clones, all growing in a very sheltered spot. Fermented in barrel, hand plunged and sensibly oaked, one of New Zealand's most compelling constructs of Pinot Noir.

$6799each $815DOZEN EACH DOZEN Escarpment's aim is to continually produce the very best of tomorrow's definitive new world wines. Complexity, texture and structure are keywords and motivators. The team aims to reward enthusiasts with progressive and suggestive Pinot Noir that encourage venture to the edge of wine appreciation. Te Rehua was treated to a wild, indigenous yeast, open top vinification in wooden Cuvees, hand plunged every twelve hours over the course of twenty five days. Upon completion, batches are pressed into a selection of new and seasoned French oak barriques for a year. A minimal egg white fining protects the wine while aiding brightness in the glass, a soft mouthfeel and fine texture.

Scarlet in colour. A fine nose redolent with sprightly pungent fruit, plums and strawberry, cranberries and briar. Te Rehua exhibits black cherry and plum fruit flavours over a firm tannin structure and controlled oak. A classic example of new world Pinot Noir, Te Rehua offers the complexity derived from a unique vineyard site, combined with vibrant fruit flavours, long and lingering. A wonderful counterpart to all game and flavourful cuisine.

$11999each $1439DOZEN EACH DOZEN