2021 Palliser Estate Hua Nui Vineyard Pinot Noir

Matured for 10 months in French oak barrels with 49% whole bunch inclusion. Deep dark red core with black toned edges and a dark red hue. Potent aromatics of dark cherries, violets, dark plums and anise engulf the nostrils with some toasty cedar, earth and spicy dried herb notes also evident. Rich and fleshy textured the palate is flooded with dark to black cherry, dark plum and anise flavours. Spicy cedar, scorched earth and dried herb elements lurk beneath. Excellent power wave and velvety tannins. Concludes long, supple and impressively deep.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews….
After cool, damp weather at flowering, the 2021 vintage in Martinborough was never going to be a bountiful one, but the second half of the season was regarded by many growers as near perfect and the quality of what was finally harvested in this North Island Pinot-Noir hotspot was enviable. Deep scarlet in colour, the aromas of this forthright, vital Pinot evoke both raspberries and plums. On the palate, too, the wine is energetic and exuberant; its structure derives from that force of fruit, darkened by oak and lifted by ripe, fruit-dense acidity rather than tannins. The overall mouthfeel, thus, is smooth rather than grippy, despite this impressive depth of fruit. This is assured Pinot Noir from one of the southern hemisphere’s reference zones.
97 Points
Decanter World Wine Awards 2023