Novum 2019

“I like this. A lot! Atypically NZ in its structural meld of fine-boned tannins, sandy latticework of acidity and something salty and moreish. The structure is the totem, sure, but the core of subtle fruit creeps up: damson plum, bloodstone, bing cherry, orange zest and a cinnamon twirl of oak. There is nothing too sweet, cloying or overly exuberant about this. The voice is one of measured, mid-weighted refinement. A benchmark for the region”. Ned Goodwin, MW

Novum Laid Bare

Fruit for this wine was grown in the highly regarded Southern Valleys sub region of Marlborough.

The heavy clay loam soils (which brings a richness to the final wine) together with the higher day time temperatures that occur in the narrow valleys of this area, make it the perfect environment in which to grow high quality Pinot Noir grapes.

Fruit for this wine was harvested from our flagship Quarters Vineyard in the Brancott Valley with also a small amount from the Settlement Vineyard. They are both located on mix of steep and flat sites, have high density planting with a mix of UCD and Dijon clones.

The fruit for this wine was harvested on 7th March (Quarters ) and the 15th March 2019 (Settlement) one of our earliest vintages ever after record high summer temperatures.

Once de-stemmed into open top fermenters the grapes sit on skins (about 5 days) prior to starting off a wild yeast fermentation, then pumped over 2-3 times a day during active ferment. After 35+ days on skins the wine is pressed, racked and transferred to French oak barriques (30% new oak).

The wine is aged in barrel for 12 months with the final wine being blended in late January and bottled in February 2020.