Neptune Point, Marlborough, Pinot Noir 2020. My exploration of Pinot Noir wines continues with this entry-level New Zealand Pinot Noir from The Society of Vintners. The Society of Vintners is a consortium of smaller independently owned wine retailers clubbing together to access greater economies of scale. I purchased my Neptune Point from the lovely people at Love Wine in Jersey, one of the outstanding local wine merchants on the island. In 2023 Neptune Point Pinot Noir 2020 won a bronze medal at the prestigious Global Pinot Noir Masters.
Marlborough Wines
Marlborough is situated on the northeast tip of the southern island and produces more than seventy-five per cent of the country’s total wines. The vast majority of the wine produced is made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes and it is certainly the variety most people associate with the area. Warm sunny days are followed by nights cooled by sea breezes, this and a long growing season allow the grapes to ripen fully whilst keeping their characteristic acidity.
Pinot Noir is the most prominently grown red variety its popularity has grown exponentially from the first commercial bottling in 1987. Marlborough is protected on three sides by the Southern Alps, the Richmond Ranges, and the Wither Hills, these block excess rain and wind providing a temperate climate with warm days that allow the grapes to ripen and cooler nights maintaining acidity levels. Marlborough Pinot Noir’s range from easy-drinking wines to elegant wines capable of ageing. They have aromas of lots and lots of red fruit flavours, with touches of spice and earthy notes and sometimes they can be quite perfumed. The simplest wines are balanced with pleasing acidity and light tannins while the best wines will require some cellaring to reach their full potential.
Marlborough has three main areas planted with Pinot Noir. The Wairau Valley has free-draining, mainly gravelly soils from the riverbed, producing fresh, aromatic wines. The Southern Valleys climb steadily with north-facing vineyards with heavy clay soils and the slightly cooler Awatere Valley with vineyards following the Awatere River. The Marlborough wine region was recognised in 2018 with a New Zealand geographical indication or GI which indicates that a product possesses characteristics specifically from the location. Similar legal recognition exists in many countries with products such as champagne or Scottish whisky.
Neptune Point, Marlborough, Pinot Noir 2020
The wine is typical of an easy-drinking Marlborough Pinot Noir with aromas of red fruits, cherries, and plums. Smooth and medium-bodied this is a really, altogether drinkable pinot with enough tannins and acid to support all the black cherry and plum flavours and just a touch of earthiness and clove-scented spice. With a nice if not particularly long finish this is a nice wine to crack open a bottle with friends and drink with some cheese it would also pair nicely with roast duck or game the fruity and acidity providing a nice balance.
Grape variety Pinot Noir
Country of origin New Zealand
Region Marlborough
Vintage 2020
Alcohol 12.5%
Notes
Neptune Point is produced by Indevin, New Zealand’s largest wine producer, owner, and operator of winery infrastructure.
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