Te Hau Reserve Pinot Noir 2020
Main Divide is the local name for the Southern Alps and is the backbone of the South Island, where grapes for Main Divide are exclusively sourced. Vineyards have been selected for their quality and ability to express unique regional flavours.
The Donaldson Family traces its Kiwi roots back hundreds of years. In keeping with this we have chosen to give our reserve range of wines ancestral names. This TE HAU Pinot Noir is named after our grandfather Henry Te Hau Tapu Nui o Tu Donaldson.
The Season
Settled weather over flowering provided a healthy fruit set, which was then thinned back to desired levels. The ensuing summer was dry with very little rain, resulting in perfectly ripened small berries full of intense flavour and concentration. Thankfully, our harvest was able to proceed during the C-19 lockdown, and an unbroken autumn full of warm days meant the fruit was picked at its optimum ripeness.
The Harvest and Winemaking
The fruit was sourced from our own Main Divide Te Hau vineyard, planted in Abel clone. Traditional Burgundian winemaking methods were used to make this wine. Once harvested, the grapes were carefully placed into vats, where they were kept cool for the first few days to help extract the soft, silky tannins from the pinot noir skins. After approximately a week, the must started to ferment naturally. During fermentation the skins of the grapes were gently plunged twice daily. When the fermentation finished, the grape remnants were left to steep in the wine for a week to help extract a different range of tannins that add structure and depth. The exact duration of this period was determined by daily tasting. Subsequently the wine was gently pressed off and put into oak barriques, from selected artisan Burgundian coopers. In the summer after harvest, when the weather warmed, the wine underwent a natural malo-lactic (secondary) fermentation. After maturing for 12mths in these barriques, the wine was finally bottled.
The Wine
Upon release the colour is deep ruby. It is sweetly fruited and seductively savoury on the nose, displaying cranberry, pomegranate and spiced plum melded with smoked game, earthy mushroom, undergrowth, cinnamon, and star anise. The palate is concentrated, supple and fleshy, combining power and grace. Dark, rich, and brooding in the mouth, it has fine-grained tannins that add energy and drive. Vibrant acidity and luxurious length of flavour set the platform for a persistent and satisfying finish. This wine is another classic expression of our Te Hau site, displaying a perfect balance of both fruit weight and savoury complexity.
| Harvest Date | AV Brix at Harvest | Alcohol Content | R.S. | T.A. | Aging Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd - 3rd April 2020 | 24 | 13% | Dry | g/l | Now - 7 years |
