Misty Cove 1203 Limited Release Marlborough Pinot Noir 2023

Description

Blackberry, Chocolate, Oak

"Sweetly ripe with seductive complexity, the fragrant bouquet shows dark cherry, rich floral, charcuterie, thyme and toasted almond characters. The palate displays silky texture  combined with expansive mouthfeel, finishing impressively long and engaging. The wine offers graceful power and poise with splendid harmony and structure. At its best: now to 2033" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Nov 2024

"Lively and citrusy with plenty of sour cherries, orange peel and sweet spices on the nose. Medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Very juicy at the center, this is chiseled and vivid with good structure and a flavorful, focused finish. Sustainable. Drink or hold"

1203 Pinot Noir opens with inviting aromas of ripe dark cherries, blackberries, and a hint of violet, accented by subtle layers of oak spice and vanilla. On the palate, it’s rich and silky, offering flavours of juicy plum, dark chocolate, and a touch of liquorice. The texture is smooth and creamy, with delicate hints of toasted nuts and sweet spices. A long, complex finish leaves lingering notes of dark fruit and soft, earthy undertones. With itsstructure and depth, this wine has excellent cellaring potential and will develop grace-fully for the next 8 to 10 years.

Our Limited Release wines are carefully selected from the most exceptional fruit blocks, where only the finest grapes and vintages make the cut. In this series, our winemakers infuse each bottle with a blend of innovation and distinctive character, creating an experience that transcends the ordinary. These wines don’t just embody elegance; they proudly stand above the rest.

Hand-harvested in the cool of the morning, the grapes for 1203 Pinot Noir were carefully processed into small vats. A week of cold soaking followed, allowing the extraction of vibrant colour and fine tannins while preserving the wine’s fresh, fruity aromas. Fermentation then kicked off with a mix of indigenous and selected yeasts. Once complete, the wine was gently pressed into French oak barriques—40% new and 60% seasoned from last year. Natural malolactic fermentation softened the acidity and added a lush and creamy texture, the wine then spent 15 months maturing in oak before tasting each barrel and selecting the best to create 1203 Pinot Noir.

Food Pairing: From herb-crusted lamb and braised short ribs to roasted duck to earthy options like mushroom risotto, truffle infused pasta, and slow-roasted pork belly. For a unique pairing, try it with pan-seared trout, where the wine’s depth contrasts with the delicate, buttery flavours of the fish. This is the perfect wine for that special occasion with friends and family.