2016 | Opawa | Pinot Noir

A medium bodied and beautifully balanced Marlborough Pinot Noir. The nose shows fruit characters of ripe plums and wild blackberries with savory spices and a hint of toasty oak. Elegant and juicy on the palate, it displays red fruit flavors and hints of licorice accompanied by soft, fine tannins. This wine has an elegant structure, silky texture and juicy acidity to give freshness, and it culminates in a lingering finish.

Reviews:

• Wine Enthusiast: There's a barnyard funk to this wine that blows off after some time in glass. Still, this is a Pinot Noir for those who dig the variety's earthy and savory characters. While bright strawberry and black pepper notes abound, they're riding under soy sauce, mushroom and hay. The palate is light-bodied and savory, backed by soft, sandy tannins and crisp acidity.

• James Suckling: A bright, fresh and tangy raspberry and red cherry-scented pinot noir that has mouth-watering appeal. The palate delivers tart red cherry fruit flavor, acidity drives an edge and tannins are fine.

Producer Information

Winery Opawa is a range of wines produced by the Marlborough-based and family-owned Nautilus Estate winery in Blenheim, New Zealand. The vineyard is named after the Opaoa River that runs through the Marlborough wine region's main Wairau Valley. Opaoa is generally held to mean “smokey river” in the Maori language. A Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and a rosé are produced under the range. Nautilus bought the land for the Opawa vines in two parcels – one in 2001 and another in 2003 together. Altogether, they cover around 25 hectares (62 acres) across stony, former riverbed flats, the river having dried up when the Wairau plains were developed, diverting the water flow. During the day, the gravels heat up and, not unlike the galets of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, act as radiators keeping the vines warm throughout the night. As Opawa produces mostly dry, fresh wines, preserving the crystalline fruit flavors is important, so the grapes are generally picked during the cool of the night.

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