Te Kairanga John Martin Martinborough Pinot Noir 2024

Description

Cherry, Floral, Oak

"Great colour intensity with dark purple and ruby with a pink rim. The bouquet is impressive with scents of ripe dark berry fruits lead by boysenberry and baked strawberry then spiced plum and violets. On the palate a wine of structure and power framed by an abundance of tannins and acidity, core fruit flavours mirror the bouquet then layers of wood smoke and clove, new leather and baked nut. Length, new and still developing with best drinking from 2028 through 2036" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Jul 2025

"Lovely violets here alongside purple fruit, boysenberry and raspberry. Vibrant and elegant, very balanced and with sleek submerged tannins. The structure creates excellent flow, allowing the fruit to unfold long and late on the palate. Excellent acidity followed by a gentle grip right on the end, resulting in an elegant mid-weight pinot noir with presence. Very primary currently, it needs time to gain complexity before revealing its true potential" Stephen Wong, The Real Review, Sep 2025

A deep burgundy hue with subtle purple highlights sets the tone for this wine’s complexity. The nose is rich and layered, revealing brambly red and dark cherries, wild berry fruits, and lifted floral notes, underpinned by hints of exotic spice. On the palate, it offers concentrated, ripe fruit supported by refined tannins and a core of minerality. The finish is vibrant and mouth-watering, leaving a lingering impression of freshness and poise.

Established in 1984, Te Kairanga is an important part of the Martinborough wine story. Our home vineyards are planted on land that was originally owned by the founding father of Martinborough, John Martin. While our land is steeped in history, our winemaking is very much focused on the future.

Grapes for this wine are selected from our Todds, Home and McLeod Vineyards on the Martinborough Terrace, one of New Zealand’s most coveted winegrowing sub-regions. Once a riverbed, it features deep ancient alluvial gravel soils. Our vineyards are sustainably farmed.

A near perfect growing season from a quality view with a smaller crop due to unsettled flowering weather. Spring growth started early but flowering weather was varied and generally unsettled. The spring was dry. Mixed weather continued until the start of January when a month of hot dry weather set the base for a great vintage. A cool, dry February and March meant acidity levels remained high and fruit retained freshness. Dry harvest weather meant the small crop of concentrated fruit could be harvested at optimal ripeness with intense fruit flavours, moderate alcohol levels and fine acidity.

Under the direction of Chief Winemaker, John Kavanagh, our winemaking philosophy places a premium on the character of each vineyard. Crafted from our best vineyard parcels, the fruit for John Martin Pinot Noir is derived from three clones this year, including the famed Abel clone. It is hand-picked block by block, carefully hand sorted and destemmed. Fermented with wild yeast and hand plunged, the wine was aged for 12 months in the finest French oak barrels and blended. Unfined and unfiltered, our gentle winemaking ensures this wine captures the inimitable personality of the Te Kairanga terrior.

Food Pairing: Best paired with slow cooked wild duck & mushrooms to highlight those classic Martinborough savoury notes.