Auntsfield Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023

Auntsfield Single Vineyard Pinot Noir is a deep, polished Marlborough Pinot built around black cherry, ripe plum and dark berries, with violet, forest floor, cocoa and gentle spice adding savoury complexity. The palate is concentrated and plush, but finely formed tannins and fresh acidity keep the fruit poised through a long, silky finish. Grown at the historic home of Marlborough’s first vineyard and winery, it reflects Auntsfield’s distinctive hillside soils of loess clay over ancient greywacke rock. Generous enough for roast duck, lamb or venison, but elegant enough to make a strong case for opening it without an occasion.

What the winery says:

The fruit comes entirely from Auntsfield’s estate vineyard, where Pinot Noir is grown on loess clay layered over ancient greywacke rock. The grapes are fully destemmed and naturally fermented in stainless steel, with two to three weeks of skin contact before maturation for 12 months in French oak barriques, including a small proportion of new oak. Black cherry and rich plum are lifted by dark red florals, forest floor, chocolate and cigar box, leading into concentrated berry fruit, polished tannins and a plush, seamless finish.

What the experts say:

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 95/100 & 5 Stars
“Offering gorgeous fruit purity with seductive complexity, the bouquet shows dark plum, rich floral, olive, clove, and toasted almond nuances.”

Erin Larkin, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 93/100
“In the mouth, the wine is fresh, structural, pretty and long, with tannins that feel both present and pliable.”

James Suckling, 92/100
“Fruit-driven and mellow with red cherries, strawberries and some baking spices.”