2022 Sacred Hill Wine Thief Pinot Noir

Brand	Sacred Hill Wines
Region	Central Otago
Varietal	Pinot Noir
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	14.0%
Vintage	2022
Country	New Zealand

Sacred Hill is now under the careful watch of Nick Picone, ex Villa Maria, say no more, watch this space. The Sacred Hill Wine Thief 2022 Pinot Noir was crafted with meticulous care, using several clones handpicked into 400kg bins, transported in refrigerated trucks to their winery in Hastings. Small format open-top fermenters receive the individual clones, with a mix of 50% whole clusters and fully destemmed fruit, and some receiving 100% destemmed fruit. Natural fermentation begins with wild yeast, and hand plunging twice daily extracts rich colour, flavour, and tannins. After fermentation, the wine is gently basket pressed and matured in French oak, with natural malolactic fermentation in spring. Following 12 months of maturation and a careful barrel selection, the wine spends several months in tank before filtration, resulting in a blend that includes 30% whole bunch and 30% new oak. Simply expressed, these wines were shown all the love in the world and the results speak for themselves.

Pouring and aeration reveal alluring dark fruits and red rose petal aromatics, intertwined with complex bramble and herbal nuances.

On the palate, dark fruit and subtle oak spice unfold in a rich, textural experience, with silky tannins leading to a long, savoury finish. Enjoy this wine now or let it develop further complexity over the next 5-7 years. Serve with mushroom dishes, gamey meats or pasta and for optimal drinking pleasure serve at 13-15 degrees.