Martinborough Vineyard Te Terra Pinot Noir 2023

A well-balanced Martin Borro Pino

Te Tera is the second label of the prestigious Martinborough Vineyard, a wine series that emphasizes approachability while carrying on tradition.

This Pinot Noir is made from relatively young vines (9-24 years old) .

The winemaking process is simple and meticulous, fermenting 100% destemmed grapes with wild yeast . Fermentation takes place in open tanks for approximately three weeks, with gentle stirring by hand daily. The wine is then aged for 10 months in French oak barrels (15% new) . The lees allow the wine to rest, resulting in a soft, smooth texture.

Tasting

The color is a deep cherry red, typical of New Zealand Pinot Noir. While the premium cuvée "Home Block" is dark, this Te Tera is bright and transparent.

The aroma is of juicy plums with a soft hint of spices .

The taste is soft . Following the fruity notes of blueberry and plum, the flavors of herbs and spices spread, creating a deep finish. The tannins are slightly mellow, and the overall taste is soft and consistent. It will become even more mellow in 3 to 5 years.

With wine prices gradually rising, I personally think it's worth it to be able to enjoy the taste of the prestigious Martinborough Vineyard at this price!

Pairing

The perfect dish is...

• Chicken liver pate
• Chicken saute (berry sauce)
• Grilled eggplant and mozzarella lasagna
• Beef stew with mushrooms
• Sauteed miso-marinated pork
• Teriyaki chicken meatballs

In both cases, I think the flavoring will go better if it's not too strong.

This Pinot Noir has both richness and softness, and offers a truly exquisite balance . Martinborough, which has similar conditions to Burgundy, offers a classic taste that you should definitely enjoy!

About the Martinborough Vineyard Winery

Martinborough Vineyard was established in 1980. In the early 1980s, it became one of the region's leading wineries and played a key role in establishing Pinot Noir as the region's signature variety.

The impetus for its establishment was a research report by soil scientist Dr. Derek Milne, who in the late 1970s scientifically demonstrated that the region's climate and soil were similar to those of Burgundy, France, which helped to promote its development as a grape-growing region.

Home to New Zealand's oldest Pinot Noir vineyards and committed to environmental conservation, the winery's wines, under the direction of Chief Winemaker Tom Turner, have consistently received acclaim.

The people behind winemaking

Martinborough Vineyard's high quality is underpinned by experienced talent and their shared vision. Chief Winemaker Tom Turner took up the role in 2024 and has implemented a "hands-off" winemaking style, drawing on his experience in renowned wine regions around the world.

Dave Shepherd, the winegrower and vineyard manager, also has a strong understanding of the importance of the vineyards, and works daily with the belief that "great wine starts in the vineyards."

Awards

Martinborough Vineyard has been recognised by wine critics both at home and abroad for its artisanal winemaking and commitment to quality.

Home Block Chardonnay

• In 2015, Stephen Brook of Decanter Magazine named it "Best Chardonnay Outside Burgundy."

Home Block Pinot Noir

• Stephen Wong MW (The Real Review 2023) praised this wine as having "deep, serious purple fruit, a roasted cocoa-like flavor, and smoky wood notes," and predicted that it is "destined to blossom and gain more elegance over the next 10 years or more."

• 94 points from Bob Campbell MW (The Real Review 2023).

• Winner of a Gold Award at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2022.

Home Block Sauvignon Blanc

• Winner of a Gold Medal at the New Zealand International Wine Show 2022.

Te Tera Sauvignon Blanc

• Bob Campbell MW (The Real Review) described it as "a bright, fresh and punchy Sauvignon."

Te Tera Pinot Gris

• Bob Campbell MW (The Real Review) described it as a "vibrant, zesty Pinot Gris."

Te Tera Pinot Noir

• Winner of Gold at the National Wine Awards of Aotearoa 2022.

• Earned 91 points in the James Suckling Tasting Report 2022.

• Rated "Excellent" by Mark Henderson (Otago Daily Times 2023).

Marie Zelie Reserve Pinot Noir

• A rare and highly coveted luxury wine, produced in extremely limited quantities only in exceptional vintages.

The existence of this winery has made a major contribution to the Martinborough region becoming known as a world-class Pinot Noir producing region.

Martinborough Vineyard terroir

Martinborough's terroir combines ideal conditions - a cool climate and well-drained gravelly soils - characteristics often compared to Burgundy and ideal for growing cool-climate grape varieties.

The "Home Block" was first planted in 1980 and still contains the oldest Pinot Noir vines in New Zealand. The grapes are hand-harvested and vinified using Burgundian techniques.

Contributing to environmental conservation and sustainability

Martinborough Vineyard is run with a strong focus on environmental responsibility and sustainability and is an accredited member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ).

We are implementing various environmental measures, such as introducing solar power generation, recycling wastewater, reducing CO₂ emissions during transportation, and preserving ecosystems. These efforts are systematically promoted as part of the corporate philosophy of our parent company, Foley Family Wines.

Martinborough Vineyard Te Tera Pinot Noir 2023 Pinot Noir 2023

item	Content
Winery Name	Martinborough Vineyards
Country of origin	new zealand
Origin	Wairarapa/Martinborough
kinds	red
Grape varieties	Pinot Noir
Vintage	2023
Alcohol content	13.0 %
capacity	750ml
remarks	screw cap