2015 Delta Vineyard Pinot Noir

Delta Vineyard

New Zealand / Marlborough / Delta Vineyard

At the winery each clone is held cold for four days prior to fermentation. Cultured yeasts were used for the primary alcoholic fermentation during which the fermenting must was hand plunged six times daily and then up to eight times daily during the height of fermentation. When dry, each batch was pressed to tank, settled and then racked off gross lees to older, seasoned French oak. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation before being blended and gently prepared for bottling.
Drinking beautifully from release date, this wine can be enjoyed young, or with careful cellaring will mature into a more complex wine that can be enjoyed for the next five years. It is well matched with spring lamb.
Dark garnet in colour, this wine has lifted aromas of ripe berries with hints of dark spices. Damson plum with undertones of freshly ground coffee and vanilla pod, followed by well-balanced acidity, fine tannin structure, and a clean, lingering finish.

September, 2016

Raymond Chan

Raymond Chan Wine Reviews

18/20

Even, dark ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, lighter on the rim. The nose is fresh and bright with vibrant and intense aromas of dark red cherry and raspberry fruit, along with lifted dark-red and violet florals and a subtle amalgam of herbs and whole berry fermentation confectionary elements. Medium bodied, the palate features rich, lively and elegantly concentrated flavours of dark raspberries and black cherry fruit melded with an amalgam of fresh herbs and violet florals. The palate is sweet and succulent, quite fine in expression with supple tannin extraction and flowing line, along with refreshing acidity. The wine carries with drive and energy to an elegant finish of dark cherry and berry fruit. This is an elegantly concentrated, sweet dark cherry and berry fruited Pinot Noir with supple tannins and fresh line and drive. Match with duck and pork dishes over the next 4 years. Dijon clone fruit from the ‘Delta Farm’ vineyard, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged in seasoned French oak.

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About Delta Vineyard

Delta was founded in 2000 by three prominent wine industry veterans and good mates, who had spent evenings enjoying wine and discussing the potential for exceptional and unique Pinot Noir in Marlborough. Using their collective viticulture and winemaking expertise they found a site that was ideal for growing high-quality Pinot Noir and planted it with selected Dijon clones. They spared no expenses in their Delta venture: investing in the best land and vines; cropping at extremely low levels; hand harvesting with multiple picks throughout the harvest season; and using the best winemaking techniques.Over the last decade and a half it’s fair to say that Delta has redefined the notion of great-value, expressive New Zealand Pinot Noir.

About

Heather moved to Marlborough in 2008 after completing a Master of Science in Psychology at Canterbury University. Her intention was to experience the romance of harvest then move to Melbourne to pursue a career in architectural psychology. Plans changed however when she fell in love with the wine industry and Marlborough. Since basing herself in Marlborough she has completed a Graduate Diploma in Oenology, and has worked harvests for prominent wine companies in Tuscany and California. Heather spent five years as assistant winemaker at a large family wine company before taking on the role of winemaker for The Delta Wine Company. She took the reins as head winemaker in May 2017.
When not working she loves to explore the world, but always loves coming home to Marlborough, where she enjoys sailing in the Marlborough Sounds, rowing on the Wairau River and sharing local food and wines with friends.