Čuvar Iris Marlborough Pinot Noir 2023

Description

Chocolate, Oak, Spice

"Complex and enticing, the fragrant bouquet shows dark cherry, dried herb, warm mushroom and roasted nut characters, followed by a sensually appealing palate that's succulent and fleshy. It's finely flowing through the mouth, finishing impressively long and velvety. At its best: now to 2031" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jul 2024

"Moderately deep ruby-red with a purple hue. The nose is gently full and poised, with aromas of black cherry, plum, delicate floral and spice. Medium-bodied, aromas of black cherry and plum entwined with cherry blossom, cinnamon, nutmeg and cocoa powder. The spices are well-proportioned and refined, melded with cocoa and reminiscent of black forest cake. Dusty, supple tannins leave a silky linger. This Pinot Noir is well-made and elegant with a silky, black forest cake expression" Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, Jul 2024

"As well as a fine prompt to look up those special-character codes on your keyboard, Čuvar is Sir George Fistonich’s new wine brand. Despite a career in the New Zealand wine industry spanning six decades, the Villa Maria founder established Čuvar (pronounced ‘chew-var’) only in late 2023 — although chief winemaker Michelle Richardson, who was previously overseas, had been spotted at wineries in the country well before the release, setting many a tongue wagging. Bright red fruits, blackcurrants and dried oregano with sumptuous freshness and great texture on the palate" Metro Top 50, Metro Wine Awards

A bouquet reminiscent of Christmas cake mix and chocolate. Gorgeous ripe dried fruit notes with a hint of spice on the front palate. The structure reminiscent of delicate silk over homespun linen. A timeless crowd-pleasing Pinot Noir.

Ballochdale Pinot Noir 100% The vineyard is on an isolated peninsular of land that is surrounded by very deep ravines covered in 30ha. of native bush. The vineyard holds itself proud 300 meters above sea level. It’s altitude, sheltered northerly aspect and spectacular inland location provide a high diurnal temperature range, and evenness of and suitability of soils that combined, give us the ability to grow grapes and produce wines of identity and intensity. The space is soul food for winemakers and visitors alike.

Marlborough had a picture-perfect 2023 harvest with cool nights and clear blue sky days. Tasting the fruit prior to harvest you could imagine the wine it eventually makes. We had the luxury to harvest at the optimal time.

The blend is made of both hand-pick and machineharvested fruit. We used a small portion of whole bunch ferment with crushed fruit on top; small batches in open fermenters that were hand plunged and both natural and Pinot specific yeast were used. Once pressed off skins, the wines were matured in used and seasoned oak until just prior to blending. 100% tank fermented and oak barrique matured on secondary lees.