Mahi Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014

Mahi Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014"Even, dark ruby red colour, a little lighter on the im. The nose is softly full and well packed with deep aromas of savoury dark red berry fruits melded with a complex layering of dark herbs, whole bunch stalk notes, unveiling some nutty oak. This nose has fruit richness and freshness. Medium full bodied, the palate has a sweetly rich core of complex flavours of savoury dark red fruits along with notes of liquorice and suggestions of spicy plums.

"Even, dark ruby-red colour, a little lighter on the im.  The nose is softly full and well-packed with deep aromas of savoury dark-red berry fruits melded with a complex layering of dark herbs, whole bunch stalk notes, unveiling some nutty oak.  This nose has fruit richness and freshness.  Medium-full bodied, the palate has a sweetly rich core of complex flavours of savoury dark-red fruits along with notes of liquorice and suggestions of spicy plums.  Dark herb and whole cluster stalk detail add to the interest.  The flavours are harmonious and well-balanced, showing good depth and presence.  The fruit richness is balanced and supported by fine-grained tannin extraction and fine acidity which allows the fruit to prevail, carrying to a long, lingering finish. This is a rich-fruited and complex dark-red berried Pinot Noir with herb, spice and stalk notes on a palate with good depth and real presence.  Match with duck, pork, beef and lamb dishes over the next 6+ years.  Hand-picked fruit from the ‘Twin Valleys’ vineyard in Fareham Road, the ‘Byrne’ vineyard and from Ward, indigenous yeast fermented with 20% whole bunches to 13.9% alc., the wine aged 18 months in 18% new French oak barriques," Raymond Chan

A full and rich bouquet, this wine is mouthfilling, ripe and supple with good complexity. Dark cherries and plums combine with soft tannins to give a well-rounded finish.

One of the things that will be remembered about the 2014 vintage in Marlborough was the very early start, and the early finish, giving us a relaxed Easter, which is a pretty rare occurrence. 

The other two things that will stick out in our memories of this year were that it was a fecund year, a fertile year, a season of plenty with the vines showing the effects of the great flower initiation in December 2012 and superb flowering conditions in December 2013; and that it was a game of two halves, great conditions up until April the 8th, and damper tones after that.

Another year showing unique conditions that continue to educate, excite and humble us.