Nuala Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2024

Description

Cherry, Oak, Spice

"An excellent example with power and precision, core ripeness and red berry flavours, varietal and savory, taut and poised for ageing. A dry wine with textures expressing their power first through acidity and firm polished tannins. Then flavours of plums and spiced black cherry, some boysenberry then a saline mineral stony soil message. Well made with cellar time needed with best drinking from 2028 through 2036+" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Jun 2026

Deliciously fragrant and intense red fruits joined by cassis, cherry, black plum, and savory, spicy and earthy elements. Fresh and lively acidity, contributing to balance the wine. Fine-grained tannins and persistent finish suggest good cellaring potential. This wine will get better with time or allow it to open with decanting.

Central Otago’s 2024 season unfolded under warm, dry conditions, with settled flowering delivering a balanced crop. A largely rain-free summer produced small, concentrated berries in excellent condition, while a cooler finish allowed flavours to develop steadily and retain freshness, resulting in wines of impressive concentration and structure.

The grapes were harvested by parcel (clone) on flavours and skin ripeness. Each clone was fermented separately after undergoing a period of cold soak to enhance colour extraction and aromatics using wild indigenous yeast and par.al whole bunch. The wine was matured in French oak barrels for 12 months, blended in stainless steel, before bottling in Spring.

Food Pairing: Try it alongside game birds such as quail, turkey, and duck; with a fillet of New Zealand salmon or trout; or equally with pork, lamb or venison. It could also be paired with some light Italian dishes.