Greywacke Pinot Noir 2022

Cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant before serving. Kevin Judd worked as a winemaker for Cloudy Bay for some 25 years, helping to put Marlborough on the world map for Sauvignon Blanc. Greywacke is his own label which he founded in 2009 and named after the grey river stones which are so common in the region. Judd makes his wines at Dog Point Winery in Brancott Valley, sourcing fruit from the Southern Valleys and Wairau Plains. The grapes for this stunning Pinot are sourced from Marlborough’s Southern Valleys with most coming from the Yarrum Vineyard. Conditions here are ideal for making elegant Pinot Noir thanks to the hillside vineyards and mixed soils which contain varying amounts of clay, loam and gravel. The grapes are carefully harvested by hand and chilled once they arrive in the winery before being fermented in open tanks using wild yeasts. The young wine is then transferred to French oak barrels for 16 months before the blending and bottling takes place. Deep cassis, blackberry and dark plum notes seduce on the nose while the first sip is dominated by crushed berries, hints of clove and cinnamon, and tobacco leaf on the long finish. The medium body and well-rounded texture is complemented by refined tannins, an elegant structure and subtle freshness which provides balance and poise.

Price: £27.20 from 8wines UK