Kimura Cellars Marlborough Pinot Noir 2025

A Dignified Pinot Crafted by a Japanese Winemaker

From "Kimura Cellars," the winery of Japanese winemaker Shigehisa Kimura, comes the long-awaited new vintage: Marlborough Pinot Noir 2025! 2025 was a low-yield year, but the quality is magnificent, resulting in a finish with excellent concentration.

Kimura-san’s home base of Marlborough is renowned as the primary region for Sauvignon Blanc. In reality, however, its cool climate and abundant sunshine make it ideal for Pinot Noir as well, and it is the top producer of this variety in New Zealand. The region offers a wide range of Pinot Noirs, from relatively affordable mass-produced bottles to premium wines that have gained international acclaim.

For his Pinot, Kimura-san chose the Awatere Valley, a sub-region particularly cooler than the rest of Marlborough. Known for its high elevation, significant diurnal temperature shifts, and dry winds, this area allows the fruit to ripen slowly, producing an extremely dense and delicate Pinot. Kimura-san’s Pinot truly reflects the unique character of the Awatere Valley.

The taste features power, a solid fruitiness, and a refreshing acidity that adds a sense of elegance, a balance best described as "dignified."

The wine has earned sparkling reviews; the 2019 vintage of Kimura Pinot won a Gold Medal at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) in the UK, and the 2023 vintage won a Gold Medal at the Marlborough Wine Show 2024, proving its high reputation both locally and internationally.

Cultivation and Winemaking

The Awatere Valley is exceptionally cool even within Marlborough. The vineyards feature silt-loam soil containing stones, which provides good drainage and helps grow concentrated fruit. They use 22-year-old Abel and 777 clone vines. The grapes are hand-harvested, undergo a cold soak for about a week, and are fermented using cultured yeast.

During fermentation, the wine is carefully extracted by plunging (pigeage) 2–3 times a day and is then aged for 11 months in French oak barrels (15% new oak).

Tasting Notes

The color is ruby red. Swirling the glass reveals a youthful, shimmering luster.

The nose features a rich aroma of ripe raspberry and plum, blended with spices like clove and cinnamon. Hints of earthiness and the scent of red flowers like rosehip are also hidden in the background.

On the palate, it has a solid fruit foundation, with the density and delicacy characteristic of Marlborough, and specifically the Awatere Valley. Soft tannins and beautiful acidity create a long, lingering finish.

While it is ready to enjoy now, it has plenty of potential to develop even more roundness and depth with a few years of aging.

Pairing Suggestions

Kimura-san's wine pairs beautifully with Japanese cuisine. These dishes would make for a fantastic match:

• Katsuo no Tataki (seared bonito)
• Sweet and savory braised chicken
• Yellowtail teriyaki
• Grilled eggplant with dengaku miso
• Simmered beef with maitake mushrooms

Even with its pale hue, this Pinot has a strong core and fruit-forward character, making it a perfect match for the umami found in Japanese dishes.

About "Kimura Cellars"

"Kimura Cellars" is a family-run winery owned by Japanese winemaker Shigehisa Kimura.

After studying winemaking and viticulture in New Zealand and gaining experience at several local wineries, Kimura-san established Kimura Cellars in Marlborough in 2009.

Based on the concepts of "wines where you can see the face of the maker" and "being a producer close to the consumer," he is committed to careful, organic winemaking.

In 2018, he began his long-held dream of cultivating his own vineyards, further intensifying his commitment to organic farming.

The Kimura Cellars logo is a cherry blossom (sakura) motif representing the "koru" (fern), an iconic New Zealand plant. The fern is a symbol of New Zealand, signifying "new beginnings," "growth," and "harmony."

About the Marlborough Region

"Marlborough" is the heart of New Zealand's wine country.

With abundant sunshine and significant diurnal temperature shifts, the region possesses the ideal natural conditions for grape cultivation, and over 80% of New Zealand's wine is produced in Marlborough.

Among its wines, Sauvignon Blanc—characterized by its crisp acidity and overflowing fruitiness—boasts overwhelming production volume and is widely loved around the world as a unique, one-of-a-kind character. For red wines, Pinot Noir is popular for its enticing, rich berry-fruit flavors.

Kimura Cellars Marlborough Pinot Noir 2025