Corofin Churton Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016

Corofin Churton Vineyard Pinot Noir comes from half a hectare of high-country vines on the Waihopai ridgeline.

Sam and Mandy Weaver's Churton vineyard spans a ridge between the Waihopai Valley and the Omaka high country, and this is the second Corofin release drawn from it. The fruit comes off the northerly Clod Block, a northeast-facing terrace planted around twenty years ago and one of seventeen blocks across the undulating site, farmed organically under BioGro. It is the most inland and southern of Mike Paterson's sources, with less maritime influence than Cowley or Settlement, and altitude and aspect make it his most marginal — usually picked ten days after Cowley. Plenty of gravel runs through the clay here. Clones are 777 and Clone 5.

Wild berries, brown spice and red florals, with the palate-length tannin that makes this block an obvious candidate for the cellar. More detailed and elegant than the release before it, and seductive across a long finish. Serve at 14 degrees. Duck, roast lamb, or mushroom ragù.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.