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Marion’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019

Producer: Schubert Wines
Region: Martinborough
Appellation: Wairarapa
Wine Type: Red
Variety: Pinot Noir
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Alcohol: 14.4%
Residual Sugar: <1 g/L
Soil: Tauherenikau Shallow Silt Loam
Farming Practices: Organic and sustainable
info@buyersandcellars.ca www.buyersandcellars.ca

Cellar Profile


Kai Schubert and Marion Deimling, both Geisenheim University Viticulture & Oenology graduates from Germany, established Schubert Wines in 1998. Having worked with winemakers like Erni Loosen of Dr. Loosen Estate, Bernkastel in Germany as well as in various vineyards across the world, their dream had always been to set off around the world in search of the ideal place to plant and produce their true passion – Pinot Noir. They travelled through Oregon, California, Australia and parts of Europe, but it wasn’t until arriving in Martinborough in the Wairarapa province of New Zealand that Kai and Marion felt they had found what they were looking for. In the spring of 1998, they acquired a small established vineyard in Martinborough and 40 hectares of bare land just north of Martinborough, at Dakins Road, followed by plantings from scratch in 1999 and 2000. Schubert’s philosophy is to craft wines of uncompromising quality that would stand out alongside the finest in the world. 14 hectares of wines are closely planted in the traditional, European style and the unique climate produces low yields. As a result they have been quick to capture the attention of connoisseurs and critics alike for their alluring, internationally award-winning wines of outstanding character, complexity, balance and grace. 90% of the production is exported to 36 countries.

Region


An hour’s drive from New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington, at the southeastern tip of the North Island, lies Wairarapa, synonymous for many people with its famous sub- region, Martinborough. Home to 4% of New Zealand’s vines but 11% of its winemakers, Wairarapa’s estates tend to be small-scale and quality-obsessed. Low yields are the norm and exciting wines are the result – it is undoubtedly the North Island’s most exciting area for Pinot Noir, and a friendly rivalry exists between Martinborough and Central Otago in the south. The mountain range to the west creates a natural rain shadow making Wairarapa the driest region on the North Island. The wind is wicked and the climate harsh, resulting in small berries, thick skins and naturally low yields. The wines are vivid and pure, sometimes hedonistic. Thankfully, balance and subtlety is maintained due to the region possessing New Zealand’s largest diurnal temperature variation.

Vineyard


The East Taratahi, or “Marion’s Vineyard”, sits on alluvial soil over top of ancient river gravel. These well-drained soils, as well as the climate, planting density and crop care, give extremely reduced yields of top quality grapes. Planted predominantly with Dijon clones of Pinot Noir, there are small plantings in advantageous sites of Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris.

Varieties


Pinot Noir—chiefly associated with the Burgundy region of France— is grown around the world, mostly in cooler climates. The grape’s tendency to produce tightly packed clusters makes it susceptible to several viticultural hazards involving rot that require diligent canopy management. When young, wines made from Pinot Noir tend to have red fruit aromas of cherries, raspberries and strawberries. As the wine ages, Pinot has the potential to develop more vegetal and earthy aromas that can contribute to the complexity of the wine. Thin skins and low levels of phenolic compounds lend Pinot to producing mostly lightly coloured, medium-bodied and low-tannin wines that can often go through phases of uneven and unpredictable aging.

Winemaking


Hand-selected and hand-harvested bunches from the best vines in the vineyard. Pommard 10/5 and Abel clones were used for structure and elegance. The wines were de-stemmed and hand-sorted before fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel. After fermentation, the wines are transferred to French oak barriques (35% new) for extended aging of 18 months before release.

Tasting Notes 


Red and black cherries, vanilla, spice, ripe strawberry and earth on the nose. On the palate, this is a bigger Pinot Noir in style, but the acidic tang and fine-grained tannins keep it balanced and lighter feeling. The red fruits are there, along with some herbal tea, red licorice and tart raspberry elements. The finish is long and silky. This is still fairly dense, enjoyable now, but would reward some mid-term cellaring. A versatile partner to food, you can enjoy with roast pork, rainbow trout or grilled portobellos.