2020 Greystone Vineyard Ferment Pinot Noir

Brand	Greystone
Region	Waipara
Varietal	Pinot Noir
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	13.0%
Vintage	2020
Country	New Zealand
Certified Organic
Organically Grown
Vegan
Vegetarian

Greystone are famous for producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the very temperamental wine growing region of Waipara where only the best wineries survive. Dom Maxwell was rewarded for his talents by being named as New Zealand Winemaker of the Year 2018 by Gourmet Wine Traveller Magazine, beating stiff competition from the likes of, Tony Bish (Tony Bish Wines & Sacred Hill), Nick Picone (Villa Maria Group), Peter Cowley (Te Mata) and Chris Scott (Church Road). This drive and determination for producing immaculate wines is reflected in Greystones latest release of their 2020 Vineyard Ferment Pinot Noir. What started off as an experiment in 2012 has blossomed into a beautifully perfumed, elegant silky, concentrated Pinot Noir with a naturally energy and vibrancy that will see this wine at its best at least 5 years from vintage. Small vats of hand harvested Pinot Noir (20% Whole Bunch) were left to ferment naturally without any human intervention, in the very same blocks where the grapes were harvested. This means it's very unlikely you're not going to get a more terrior-driven wine. The warm dry days meant that fermentation kicked off fast, with the cool nights slowing fermentation allowing for good colour and phenolic extraction. Once fermentation was complete the wine then spent 16 months in 3-year-old French oak, before being bottled unfined, unfiltered and released in 2023. Tiny quantities were made with Fine Wine Delivery Co being charged as the exclusive retailers with a strict allocation of only 60 bottles - the remainder for Greystones Cellar Door and a select group of top-end on-premise accounts.

The wine pours a beautiful light to medium red with complex, layered notes of ripe cherry, plum and red current, nuances of wildflower and subtle baking spice.

The vibrancy on the palate is something that must be experienced, try waiting at least 5 years but if the temptation is too strong an hour in a decanter will do the wine wonders. The energy in this wine simply explodes across your palate with an impressively long and powerful length. Concentrated with bright red fruit of cherry, wild raspberries and plum, silky delicate tannins and an immaculate backbone that provides great structure. A very rare and special Pinot Noir to be enjoyed by a very lucky few, so plan you occasion and guest list wisely. Serve with gamey meats.