Corofin Cowley Family Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017

Corofin Cowley Family Vineyard Pinot Noir is a Marlborough Pinot Noir from old Abel-clone vines in the Ben Morven foothills.

Ben Cowley farms this sweeping 25-year-old site organically and meticulously, divided into a large number of sub-plots. Corofin's fruit comes from the main slopes, planted at 3,800 vines per hectare on clay-rich soils. From 2015 Mike Paterson worked exclusively with the vineyard's twenty-year-old Abel vines — the Gumboot clone, nicknamed for the way the cutting is said to have reached New Zealand — prized for natural acidity, tannin and extract, and largely responsible for a deeper, darker expression than Settlement gives. Picked in early April, four days in sealed tanks with 20 per cent whole bunches, foot trodden, then thirteen months on original lees in old barrels.

Floral and bright, with jubey redcurrant and wild strawberry, a cool sappy freshness and fine tannins running the length of the palate. Smoked meat and earth hint at where it is heading. Serve at 14 to 15 degrees with duck, roast pork, or mushrooms on toast.

*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.