Wavatawa Marlborough Pinot Noir 2023

A Rich and Concentrated Pinot

If you love Pinot Noir but sometimes find lighter styles a little unsatisfying, then this is the bottle for you.

New Zealand has many renowned Pinot regions, but Marlborough's Awatere Valley stands out with its unique character.

Vavasour is recognized as a pioneer in this Awatere region.

About the Vineyard

The Awatere Valley is an area with strong winds from the Pacific Ocean. Even in mid-summer, the air is cool despite the sunshine. Rainfall is low, and the climate is extremely dry.

Furthermore, it is characterized by a larger diurnal temperature variation (difference between day and night temperatures) compared to other sub-regions in Marlborough.

Grapes that receive ample sunshine during the day retain their nutrients during the cold nights, slowly maturing over time. This results in concentrated fruit.

The grapes used for this wine are all estate-grown and hand-harvested.

Winemaking

Most of the fruit is destemmed and placed into stainless steel tanks. A portion undergoes cold maceration as whole bunches.

It is fermented with wild yeasts, and carefully hand-pigeaged (punching down the cap).

After fermentation, the skins are pressed, and the wine is transferred to French oak barrels for aging. It undergoes malolactic fermentation in spring and is blended and bottled at the end of summer.

Tasting Notes

The aroma presents dark fruit, predominantly American cherry and plum, overlaid with a hint of spice, like clove.

On the palate, there is a dense concentration of fruit. The acidity is gentle, supporting the fruit. Delicate tannins linger pleasantly on the finish.

Despite being a Pinot from a cool-climate vineyard, it offers substantial body. This is not a wine that relies on lightness, but one that provides deep satisfaction.

Pairing

Given the relatively full body of this Pinot, slightly richer dishes would be a perfect match.

Teriyaki chicken thighs and shimeji mushrooms make a great combination, as the sweet and savory sauce harmonizes beautifully with the wine's concentrated fruitiness. For the same reason, grilled unagi (eel) is also an excellent pairing.

With balsamic-glazed pork and mushrooms, the acidity and sweetness of the sauce naturally complement the wine's fruit character.

And for grilled lamb chops, the wine's clove-like spice notes beautifully embrace the unique flavor of the lamb.

In recent years, the price of New Zealand Pinot Noir has generally been on the rise. However, for this quality and price, I believe the cost-performance is extremely high!

About the Winery "Vavasour"

Vavasour is a pioneer in the Awatere Valley, a particularly unique region within Marlborough, New Zealand.

In the 1980s, this area was deemed unsuitable for winemaking due to its cool, dry climate, strong winds, and rocky soil. However, they were convinced that this "challenging land" could produce a special taste, and bravely decided to take on the challenge. Their success led to the Awatere Valley becoming a globally recognized, representative wine region of New Zealand.

The unique terroir (soil) that creates its flavor

What characterizes their wines is the Awatere land itself.

The cool climate with extreme diurnal temperature variations allows the grapes to ripen slowly, resulting in vibrant acidity and deep flavors. The rocky, well-drained soil imparts a distinct minerality to the wine, enhancing its taste.

These harsh conditions, unique to the land, contribute to the wine's delicate yet complex flavors.

Attention to Detail and Evolving Winemaking

Their vineyards are divided into over 100 small plots, each managed and harvested individually, and processed through meticulous winemaking to create their wines.

By combining traditional methods with modern techniques, such as natural fermentation with wild yeasts, whole bunch fermentation, and high solids fermentation, they faithfully and maximally express the character of the land.

Although they have gained global recognition for their exceptional quality, they refrain from overly highlighting awards and critics' reviews.

This is because they prioritize the intrinsic quality of the wine and loyalty to the land above all else.

This attitude resonates strongly with wine lovers who value reliability and authenticity.

The Presence of a Winemaker with Deep Understanding of the Land

Winemaker Stu Marfell was born and raised in the Awatere Valley and understands the characteristics of this land better than anyone.

His winemaking is based on working with the land and respecting its individuality, meticulously researching the microbial environment of the vineyards and the characteristics of the soil, and continuously evolving and innovating.

The wines he crafts embody a fusion of deep love for the land and exceptional skill, exuding a unique charm.

Inside every bottle of Vavasour wine, there is a concentration of respect for the land, the passion of a challenger, and the meticulous dedication of a craftsman.

About the Marlborough Region

Marlborough is the heart of New Zealand's wine regions.

With abundant sunshine and large diurnal temperature variations, Marlborough boasts favorable natural conditions for grape growing, producing over 80% of NZ wines.

Among these, Sauvignon Blanc, characterized by crisp acidity and abundant fruit flavors, accounts for an overwhelming production volume and is widely loved globally for its unique character. For red wines, Pinot Noir, with its rich berry fruit flavors, is popular.

Vavasour Marlborough Pinot Noir 2023