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NOTES
The Delta Farm, first established in 1848, was purchased in 2000 by four partners. Winemaker Matt Thomson and London-based Master of Wine David Gleave are two of the partners. “The aim is to plant and work only with Pinot Noir, and to make the very best expression possible of Pinot from Marlborough,” explains Matt. With this in mind, Matt looked for a site on the low vigour clay soils to the south of the valley. ‘In the past, much Pinot was planted beside Sauvignon Blanc on the high vigour loam soils closer to the river,” explains Matt, one of the region’s busiest consultants. “This soil is ideal for Sauvignon, but not for Pinot.” His search drew him to the Delta site, where the vineyard was planted, using the best of the new Dijon clones, in 2002 and 2003.
The Delta Vineyard has 30 hectares of Pinot Noir. It is situated on the West Coast Highway in Marlborough in New Zealand’s South Island. About 25% of the vineyard is on the ‘flats’ while 75% is on the hills that rise to about 175 metres. The Delta Vineyard Pinot is made from the fruit grown on the 'flats', given extra depth by fruit from the hills. The Delta label comprises about two thirds of our production, with Hatter’s Hill making up the remaining third.
TASTING NOTES
Deep pinky red in colour with strong Pinot Noir aromatic characters of lifted cherry aromas and violet notes. The palate is savoury and a little smoky with a gorgeous silky texture, ripe plum, berry and cherries with an intriguing underlying earthiness, woody herbs, and an underpinning of anise-like spices and a dry, gamey, savoury finish. Seductive and succulent with a delicious lingering aftertaste. Tremendous value.
OTHER REVIEWS
Quite a high extraction on the nose with dark cherry and plum with a touch of mulberry, the palate soft and supple with a plush finish tinged with white pepper - 90 Points, The Wine Advocate
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