Te Wahi Pinot Noir, Cloudy Bay Vineyards 2019

This has a wonderful savory thread, with toasted cumin, black tea and forest floor notes. Pure, fleshy and velvety, showing spiced plum, juicy black cherry and blueberry flavours, with a hint of palo santo lingering on the long, expressive finish.

The 2019 Te Wahi Pinot Noir hails from Central Otago (to be clear), but I’ve included it in the Marlborough report, given the estate is based there. Bottled in very heavy Burgundy glass and under natural cork, this wine leads with savory, earthy notes of fresh game, black pudding, charred coffee grounds, resin, oak and inflections of peat. In the mouth, the wine is hearty and full, shaped by firm, plentiful tannins. It feels very early in its lifespan, currently. It’s an altogether savory, rich, dense wine with a long future in front of it.