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NOTES
Neudorf is named "Best New Zealand Small Winery" by Bob Campbell MW
On a gentle north facing slope above the Moutere Valley, Tim and Judy Finn planted their first vines in 1978. The Moutere Hills at the top of the South Island are one of New Zealand's sunniest spots, but the gravely clay soils retain just enough moisture to support grapevines through the dry summer months without the need for irrigation. Closely planted, low cropped vines combine with Tim Finn's sympathetic winemaking to create wines of balance, texture and length, and above all, individuality.
Recently chosen as Champion Pinot Noir for Marlborough/Nelson at the Fine Wine Pinot Roadshow.
TASTING NOTES
Youthful, purple hue in the glass with a complex nose of cracked pepper, dark summer berries, black cherry and chocolate, combined with visceral, earthy characters, dried wild herbs and excellent but unobtrusive supporting oak.
Palate: Initial savoury / black fruit entry carries through a mouth filling, richly structured palate, the texture of soft leather. An underlying mineral acidity supports this richness, adding a certain juiciness and considerable length. Overall a wine of complexity and finesse.
2006 was a good vintage giving us well formed bunches of nicely ripened grapes - a bit of arelief following the tiny crop harvested in 2005. Grapes were hand pickrd from the Pomoana and Home Vineyards, with the excellent younger Dijon vines really coming into their own. All fruit was chilled, carefully sorted, destemmed and cold macerated prior to fermentation in small batch fermenters. Fermentation occurred spontaneously using indigenous yeasts, reaching temperatures of 32C.
The wine was left on skins for about 4 weeks to release an excellent volume of fine ripe tannins. The wine matured for eleven months in French Oak barrels (35% new) from a variety of Burgundy coopers to add complexity. In spring the young wine went through a complete malo-lactic fermentation and was bottled without filtration or fining in July 2007.
OTHER REVIEWS
“Powerful aromas of dark berry fruit and cherries. There’s lots on offer in this distinctive Neudorf Pinot, layered with game meats, roasted spice, earthy and smoky notes. Full and intense palate. It will evolve superbly.” The Australian Sommelier [Nick Stock]
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