2013 ‘BLACK POPLAR BLOCK’ PINOT NOIR

Awards & Accolades             

(5 Stars) 18.5+/20 - Raymond Chan - www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz - July 2015

Pisa Range Estate Black Poplar Block Pinot Noir 2013 (Central Otago) Very dark, deep purple-hued black-red colour, a little lighter on rim.  The nose is elegantly proportioned with fragrant and pure aromas of ripe black cherry and blackberry fruits along with black mineral notes. The aromatics are intense and penetrating revealing fine violet and black florals, spice nuances, subtle thyme herb hints, and raspberry liqueur with aeration. Medium-bodied and refined in proportion, beautifully vibrant and succulent dark raspberry and black cherry fruit flavours are the feature on palate.

The fruit sweetness is enhanced by fresh, lacy acidity, lending the mouthfeel vitality and fine-grained powdery tannins support the fruit lending depth and linearity. Minerally elements, some oak and a suggestion of reduction adds to the complex detailing, and the wine carries to a tightly bound, long, lingering finish.

This is an elegant and vibrant Pinot Noir with intense black and red fruits and a finely concentrated palate. Serve with duck, pork, lamb and beef over the next 6-8 years.

Fruit from the ‘Black Poplar’ block from vines planted in 1995, hand-picked and fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine aged one year in one-third new French oak barriques.             

(5 Stars) Sam Harrop MW -  Italian Issue Cuisine - Pinot Noir Tasting May 15 Pisa Range Estate Black Poplar Block Pinot Noir 2013 (Central Otago)

This pinot is made from the oldest vines of a favoured site at Pisa, on the western side of Lake Dunstan. Ink-dark in the glass, it is ripe and powerful, but not at the expense of elegance and freshness. “That ripeness and vitality brings to mind a modern Vosne-Romanée, Burgundy,” said Sam Harrop MW.

Vineyard

The ‘Black Poplar Block’ is a four hectare planting. It takes its name from the two majestic 100 year old Black Poplar trees that dominate this area of the vineyard. This wine is crafted from our older vines planted in 1995.

The 2013 vintage followed a very cold winter. Good weather in November allowed for a good and even flower set. However, December/early January were unsettled, with brief cool fronts bringing dustings of snow to the Pisa Range.

By mid January the weather settled giving warm, consistent temperatures - which continued for the remainder of the summer. As is our practice, the grapes were hand harvested clone by clone on 10th  April 2013. The wine has matured in French oak barriques (one third new) for one year. Bottling took place in February 2014. Minimal intervention is practiced both in the vineyard and in the winery.

Technical Details

Region: Pisa - Central Otago

Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 14.0% alc.

Maturation: Mix of new (one third) and seasoned French oak barriques

Food Match: Venison, Hare

Winemakers Note

Colour:    Deep inky purple

Bouquet:  Well integrated aromas of subtle oak, spice, pinot noir perfume

Palate: Fine dark fruits

Cellar:   5-10 years