Pinot Noir Clay Hills, Omaka Valley 2020
Marlborough, Nautilus Estate, 750 ml
| Grape variety: | Pinot noir |
| Producer: | Nautilus Estate |
Description
A top-class New Zealand Pinot Noir! This wine comes from the first- class, higher-lying Clay Hills Vineyard in the eastern Omaka Valley, with just 5.5 hectares and impresses with its great structure. The aroma of cassis, ripe dark cherries and roasted spices characterise its intense bouquet. It is lively on the palate, with a fruity "sweetness", while velvety tannins contribute to a long-lasting, elegant finish. A charming representative from New Zealand, which is only produced in top years and is great fun with mild Asian dishes and vegetarian cuisine!
Attributes
| Grape variety: | Pinot noir |
| Label: | Vegan |
| Ripening potential: | 2 to 5 years |
| Drinking temperature: | 10 to 12 °C |
| Food Pairing: | Saddle of lamb fillet with herb jus, Saltimbocca, Tagliatelle al tartufo, Vegetable pie |
| Volume: | 13.0 % |
Nautilus Estate
In the stunningly beautiful wine-growing region of Marlborough, located in the north-easternmost corner of New Zealand's South Island, the Nautilus Estate of Marlborough, founded in 1985, produces expressive, structured and precise wines inspired by the mathematically perfect spiral of the nautilus shell (sea snail).
When the winery was founded, there were around 80 wineries in New Zealand, today there are over 700, and yet the family-run winery has remained small and manageable – the owner Robert Hill Smith is a fifth-generation winemaker. This family ownership means that the winery benefits from generations of experience with the ups and downs of viticulture.
Nautilus' recipe for success is carefully selected vineyards in various regions in Marlborough, such as the well-known Wairau Valley or the neighbouring Awatere Valley, which offer optimal conditions for the cultivation of grape varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The climate is characterised by warm summers – Marlborough has one of the highest hours of sunshine in New Zealand with an average of over 2,400 hours of sunshine per year – cool nights and a moderate maritime influence thanks to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. This leads to a slow ripening of the grapes and optimal development of the flavours. The soils are characterised by a combination of clay and pebbles, which provide excellent drainage and influence the character of the wines. These unique conditions and sustainable cultivation contribute to the remarkable freshness, intensity and complexity of the Nautilus wines.
Winemaker and cellar master Clive Jones and the whole team at Nautilus Estate in Marlborough know what is important when it comes to wine quality and have remained true to the mantra of never wanting to be the biggest, but always striving for the best and with great success. Nautilus now enjoys a reputation as one of the best wineries in New Zealand!
Pinot noir
Blueprint of the terroir
No other variety expresses its terroir as precisely as Pinot noir. It is a sensitive, fragile grape. But when it succeeds, it gives the world some of its very greatest wine plants. It especially excels in Burgundy, where it has been cultivated for at least 700 years. Even in the middle ages, it was considered so precious that it was kept separate from other grapes so as to not diminish its value. The finest examples are delicate and fragrant with aromas of cherries and red berries. With maturity, notes of forest floor, leather and truffles enter as well. An irresistible fruity sweetness still shines through, even after several decades. The Pinot noir does well in cool locations: in Switzerland and in Germany, where it is known as Blauburgunder and Spätburgunder respectively; in Alsace and in South Tyrol, in Oregon, New Zealand and Tasmania. Not least, it yields fantastic champagnes. It is a wonderful culinary companion. With its soft tannins and charming bouquet, it meshes with everything, from Güggeli and cheeses to fried fish.
