Pinot Noir, Village, Kumeu – 2018
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Vineyard Profile
- Location: Rays Road, Raukawa, Hawkes Bay
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Vinification
- Fermentation: 2 weeks
- Aging: 7 months in tank
- Bottled: October 2018
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
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Tasting Notes
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In April 2017, we took possession of a vineyard at Rays Road in Hawkes Bay that was already planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The vineyard soil is wind-blown clay loess over limestone, so we were particularly keen to see how these varieties performed.
2018 was our first vintage from Rays Road, and we were excited by the potential we saw with the Pinot Noir. We have split the wine into two quality levels as we do with our Chardonnay, and the Kumeu Village Pinot Noir from this vineyard is particularly delicious.
The wine displays a bright transparent, burgundy color with lifted, red fruit aromas. On the palate, the wine is cool and fruity with a nice hint of chalky tannin that keeps the wine dry and refreshing.
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Reviews
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Kumeu River Pinot Noir, Village, Kumeu – 2018 – The Wine Advocate – 89 Points
The 2018 Village Pinot Noir is made entirely from Hawke's Bay fruit—no Kumeu Pinot Noir was even picked because of the rain that pelted down in that region. It's light ruby in color, with pretty floral notes alongside hints of raspberry and strawberry. Light to medium in body, it's a silky-textured, red-fruited charmer with decent length.
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Kumeu River Pinot Noir, Village, Kumeu – 2018 – Wine Enthusiast – 89 Points
This is a very light style of Pinot made from a producer renowned for its Chardonnay. The color of cherry juice, it shows some slight reduction and some oak spice, too, on what is an otherwise fruity nose. But both the reduction and the oak add character rather than detract. The palate is lightweight with crisp, angular acidity that makes the fruit feel tart, along with chalky tannins and a lick of oak spice that dries the mouth on the finish. While refreshing, it lacks some fleshy fruit weight to soften the acidity and tannins.