MARLBOROUGH  Reserve  Marlbourough Pinot Noir 2021  Winemakers Comments:  A classic expression of Pinot Noir, this wine exhibits a perfumed bouquet of  cherries, wild berry and subtle spice. An elegant and refined palate displaying  rich flavours and layered, complex textures given by fine silky tannins.  Made with aging in mind, this wine will offer intrigue and complexity with time  in bottle.  Vintage and Viticulture:  Summer was dry and mild with Marlborough’s signature high sunshine hours  and cool nights delivering fruit in the best possible condition. The early  autumn season in 2021 provided Marlborough with very stable weather  conditions allowing fruit to reach optimum physiological and flavour ripeness.  The fruit was impeccably clean and the lower yields meant that the grapes  packed a punch in flavour and concentration.  The grapes for this wine were sourced from three key vineyards across  Marlborough. One in the Awatere valley, bringing a cooler climate aromatic  influence. The other two vineyards are situated in the Southern valleys  sub-region of the Wairau valley. The deep clay-based soils contribute to the  concentration and structure of the wine.  100% hand-picked, fruit was chilled overnight before being destemmed into  small open top fermenters. The grapes were "cold-soaked" for up to five days  before being warmed to allow wild fermentation to kick off.  The ferments were hand plunged daily to aid in the gentle extraction of colour  and tannin. At the completion of fermentation, the wine was left on skins and  carefully monitored to determine the optimal extraction before being pressed  to barrel, taking full solids. The wine was left to mature and undergo natural  malolactic fermentation in barrel.  Technical Details:  VARIETIES: 100% Pinot Noir  ALCOHOL: 13.5%  PH: 3.57  TOTAL ACIDITY: 5.9g/l  RESIDUAL SUGAR: 0.2g/l  MATURATION: 14 months in French oak barriques, 14% New, followed by 5 months settling in tank.