- 100% Pinot Noir
- Block 5 is located on a gentle north facing slope in the Elms vineyard, which was planted in 1993
- Varying soil types heading up the slope with heavy loess and silt at the bottom, followed by clay lakebed deposits, and angular schist gravels
- The nature of being a gravity flow winery allows grapes to be gently destemmed without pumping
- Long pre-fermentation soak of 9 days prior to fermentation
- 20% whole cluster
- Native yeast fermentation
- Punched down by hand up to 2 times per day with a total time on skins of 23 days
- Aged for 16 months in French oak (30% new) with 2 rackings
- No fining or filtering
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2022
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Central Otago
Appellation:
Central Otago
Variety:
Pinot Noir
Color:
Red
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | NZ-FRW-22-22 | 6/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
James Suckling
Score
97
Date
2023-11-03
"There is an opulence and intensity here yet it remains fresh and vivid with orange peel and ripe strawberry aromas and flavors. Medium to full body with firm and racy tannins that give it tension and focus. Clear and naked in so many ways giving it a clarity that is appreciated. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Better in two or three years. Screw cap."
Decanter
Score
95
Date
2024-07-29
Vinous
Score
95
Date
2024-05-14
"The 2022 Pinot Noir Block 5 doesn't start out as impressive as usual. Compared to the 2021 vintage, it seems less intense and voluminous. Yet it proves to be an athletic, honed Pinot Noir with pure fruit and a real sense of purpose. A taut line of acidity pulses through its core, pushing it towards a firm, long finish. The vintage makes this more restrained. The 2022 has all the essence of the vines without the big shoulders this vineyard can provide. Perhaps not as impressive, but for those who like quieter styles, 2022 provides."
Wine Advocate
Score
95
Date
2023-12-14
"The 2022 Block 5 Pinot Noir leads with pronounced oak on the nose, but it,s a gently dusty, raw cocoa, sandalwood sort of character and does not overwhelm the fruit. In the mouth, the fruit is spicy and full, and it behaves in a most attractive fashion. The wine enters gently and plumes through the mid-palate and finish for an expansive, voluminous experience. A wonderful wine, clearly with the most pronounced presence in the lineup of 2022 Pinots in front of me today. Excellent. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
Jancis Robinson
Score
17
Date
2024-04-09
"Mid crimson. Ripe red and black fruit elegantly framed by the lightly spicy oak, velvety tannins and the 14% alcohol. A structured wine with good ageing potential. Very long finish. (FG)"
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2021
Decanter
Score
97
Date
2023-01-05
"Crushed berry, Ceylon tea leaves and white pepper make for a brooding and alluring nose. The palate takes up this aromatic theme, enabled by a very fine, clear streak of bright acidity. A frame of graceful, firm tannin lends structure to this elegant wine. Really poised, long and aromatic. Matured in just 25% of new French oak for 16 months."
2021
James Suckling
Score
97
Date
2022-11-02
"The brightness and clarity of fruit is something else with hibiscus, ripe strawberries, raspberries, and slate follow through to a full body, with a tight and structured intensity at the finish. Solid tannins give it a tightness at the end. Needs four or five years to open."
2021
Vinous
Score
97
Date
2023-04-27
"The 2021 Pinot Noir Block 5 oozes class with its coating of rich fruit that sways its way across the palate. It's not a robust style, but there's masses of fine Pinot tannins that quietly melt around your cheeks. It's rather easy to like in youth, which is surprising. It doesn't even seem to need to take a breath and relax. And yet, it's all here for the long term with its great length, quiet structure and complex fragrances that fill the mouth."
2021
Wine Spectator
Score
95
Date
2023-08-16
"Packs a bunch of power and precision on a delicate frame, with notes of fresh rose petals, lavender and cinnamon mingling with cherry compote, raspberry and cranberry. Reveals additional details of sandalwood, Earl Grey tea and forest floor that linger effortlessly on the finish. Drink now through 2034. ‡M.W."
2021
Wine Advocate
Score
94+
Date
2023-12-14
"The 2021 Block 5 Pinot Noir is full throttle and energetic, but it speaks also in a restrained, measured way. The wine shows a cavalcade of red fruits on the capacious mid-palate, and it spools through the long finish. Like casting a fishing rod into a still lake, the wine has an audible ffff-ssssssss through the finish. There remains an overhang of flavor on the mid-palate that conveys sweet roasted meats and exotic spices. The acidity here, as in all of the 2021s, feels alive and cooling. It is a wonderful thing. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
2021
Jancis Robinson
Score
17.5
Date
2022-12-23
"North-facing silt in the Elms vineyard.Simpler, more direct nose than the Calvert. Then very sweet and round and jewelly. Masses of sweet pleasure. Already broachable but underlying acidity and fine tannin suggests ageability. 14%Drink 2022 † 2034"
2020
Vinous
Score
97
Date
2022-04-12
2020
James Suckling
Score
96
Date
2022-11-02