Rohe Southern Valleys Pinot Noir Marlborough

Rohe Southern Valleys 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 clay rich soils of the Southern Valleys sub-region naturally restrict vine vigour and produce Pinot Noir fruit with concentrated flavours and supple tannins. The subregion sits inland, away from the coast, with cooler evening temperatures during the critical ripening period. Some of the oldest hillside Pinot Noir plantings in Marlborough are found in this sub-region.

Tasting Notes

Dark cherry, violet and cinnamon spice aromas complement red fruit, chocolate and subtle spice flavours on the palate. The fruit flavours are framed with supple tannins and a core of juicy acidity.

Winemaking Notes

2020 was a brilliant vintage. Dry, warm weather, followed by Marlborough’s trademark
cooler nights, helped to create intense aromatics and vibrant acidity. It would’ve been one of the smoothest harvests we have experienced if it wasn’t for COVID-19. The introduction of a nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of the virus coincided with the beginning of picking, bringing with it the very real possibility of shut-down, preventing us from harvesting our fruit. Our vineyard and winery teams moved incredibly fast to adhere to strict distancing and hygiene protocols to allow us to continue to operate.

The fruit for this wine was hand-harvested from vineyards planted with traditional Dijon
clones, located in the Ben Morven, Waihopai and Omaka Valleys. The fruit was cold-soaked for five days, prior to fermentation, which included 25% whole bunch. After
fermentation the must was pressed and the wine aged for ten months in 225L French Oak Barriques, with a total of 32% new oak.

Cellaring Recommendation

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