Giesen Single Vineyard Clayvin Pinot Noir 2024

Giesen Single Vineyard Clayvin Pinot Noir brings serious depth and poise to Marlborough Pinot Noir. Dark cherry, raspberry and blueberry fruit meet violet, thyme, gentle earth and a flicker of flinty spice, while fine acidity and firm, polished tannins keep everything beautifully focused. The certified organic Clayvin Vineyard is a north-facing, close-planted hillside site in the Southern Valleys, where clay soils naturally encourage concentration and structure. This is a compelling choice for Pinot drinkers who enjoy perfume with backbone, and it has the shape to develop gracefully in the cellar. Pair it with roast duck, herb-crusted lamb or mushroom pappardelle.

What the winery says:

Clayvin Vineyard was planted in 1993 and is organically farmed at high density to restrict vine vigour and produce concentrated fruit. Its clay soils retain moisture while encouraging roots to reach into cooler subsoils, helping build structure and mineral character. The 2023/24 season was warm and dry following a wet winter that replenished soil reserves. Fruit was hand-picked from the C and G blocks and hand-sorted in the vineyard, with a portion fermented using a semi-carbonic technique to enhance red-fruit and floral aromatics.

What the experts say:

James Suckling, 97 Points (2024)
“You can see the beautiful quality of the Clayvin Vineyard in this medium-bodied wine, showing strawberries, cherries and hints of spices and flint with a bright finish. A tannin-driven pinot from Marlborough: uncommon for the region but not unexpected from this great site. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 97 Points (2024)
“This is stunning. Gorgeously perfumed on the nose with dark cherry, blueberry, game, thyme, violet, and roasted nut aromas. The palate displays excellent concentration and silky flow, wonderfully complemented by plush texture and layers of polished tannins, making it robust and sturdy, yet graceful and sophisticated with a prolonged, gratifying finish. At its best: 2027 to 2036. July 2025.”

Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak, 95 Points (2024)
“Deeply coloured. Bold and nicely structured with red cherry and raspberry fruit, showing nice acidity and structure. Very pure and fine.”