# Pounamu Special Selection Pinot Noir, 2022 (2022)

- **Producer:** Pounamu
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Marlborough, New Zealand
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €35
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, raspberry, plum, blackberry, violet, liquorice, cloves, vanilla, forest floor, mushroom

## About this wine

Pounamu Special Selection Pinot Noir 2022 hails from the Waihopai Valley in Marlborough, New Zealand. The Pounamu brand, produced by Vinultra, is an independent, family-owned winery deeply connected to its land. The name "Pounamu" itself is the Maori word for greenstone or jade, a treasured stone symbolizing peace and the enduring spirit of the region. This "Special Selection" represents the pinnacle of their Pinot Noir expression, crafted from a single six-hectare vineyard with unique stony, free-draining soils. The producer's commitment to low-intervention and precision viticulture, aiming for "Grand Cru levels" of quality, ensures a wine that truly reflects its Marlborough origins.

## Interesting facts

- The name 'Pounamu' is the Maori word for greenstone or jade, symbolizing peace and connection to the land.
- The vineyard's yields are meticulously managed to 'Grand Cru levels' of approximately 30 hl/ha.
- Fermentation is carried out using indigenous yeasts, highlighting a commitment to natural expression.
- The winery is an independent, family-owned operation in Marlborough's Waihopai Valley.

## Food pairing

This Marlborough Pinot Noir, with its vibrant red fruit, balanced acidity, and silky tannins, is incredibly versatile. Its earthy undertones and subtle spice notes complement dishes with similar characteristics, such as mushrooms or game birds. The wine's acidity allows it to cut through the richness of fattier meats like duck or salmon, while its soft tannins ensure it won't clash with more delicate proteins. Fruit-based sauces, particularly those with red berries, will echo the wine's primary fruit profile, creating a harmonious pairing.

## Wine making process

The Pounamu Special Selection Pinot Noir is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, starting in the vineyard. Viticulture employs intensive canopy management and aims for low yields, approximately 30 hl/ha, to concentrate flavors. While there are conflicting reports on harvesting methods, with some sources indicating hand-picking and others mechanical, the focus remains on optimal grape selection. The destemmed grapes undergo fermentation in open-top fermenters, utilizing indigenous yeasts to foster complexity. During fermentation, the cap is immersed three times daily, followed by a maceration period of several weeks. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels, with reports varying between 6 and 12 months, contributing to its structure and nuanced spice notes.