Rohe Awatere Valley Pinot Noir Marlborough

Rohe Awatere Pinot Noir

Rohe, meaning territory in Te Reo Māori, is a range of wines created to showcase the unique flavours of Marlborough. Marlborough’s sub-regions are yet to be fully understood, each district offers distinct flavours and aromas. Through crafting wines exclusively from each winemaking sub-region the Rohe range of wines highlight the individual sub-regional flavours and share our perspective of this remarkable region we call home. Made in individual quantities, each bottle features a bespoke illustration of a Marlborough sub-region.

Sub-region

The soils in the Awatere are complex, encompassing a matrix of shallow to moderately deep silty loams, with pockets of sand, gravel and clay on higher terraces. The sub-region is drier and cooler with plenty of low vigour sites, well suited to Pinot Noir.

Tasting Notes

This elegant Pinot Noir has lifted floral aromatics, with layers of red cherry, cassis and
blueberry. The pure fruit flavours are balanced with subtle spice, savoury fruit tannins,
texture and juicy acidity.

Winemaking Notes

2021 was one of the earliest and shortest Marlborough vintages on record. The growing season was the third in a series of drought vintages, and the stress on the vines was compounded by a huge wind run. The combination of some early frost events and poor flowering resulted in lower yields and smaller bunches than usual. This, combined
with the dry conditions, has meant that disease levels are incredibly low this year, resulting in pristine fruit with good concentration.

The fruit for this was harvested from low-vigour clay terrace vineyards on March 11. The fruit was cold-soaked for five days prior to fermentation, a small portion was fermented as whole bunch. After fermentation, the must was pressed and the wine aged for ten months in French oak, including 12% of new oak.

Cellaring Recommendation

This wine is immediately enjoyable but will continue to drink well for the next five years.

2021 Tasting Note 2018 Tasting Note