Tasting Note

The Craggy Range Aroha Pinot Noir 2019 is a pale Burgundy with a purple hue. An elevated menagerie of flavours. Black truffle, fresh-picked blueberries, brioche, chanterelle mushroom, lavender and dried goji berries. The palate is the epitome of a peacock feather; the flavour starting modest but fanning out to a length rarely seen in this variety. The tannins are satin and the level of concentration is deftly hidden but a pure acid line. Majestic.

Background

In the Vineyard

Cool and damp spring followed by a warm and dry summer/autumn. Fantastic!

In the Cellar

• Whole Bunch- 63%
• Destemmed – 37%
• Fermentation Vessel – Combination of open-top stainless steel tanks and French oak cuves
• Fermentation – Indigenous

Food Match

Seared duck breast, satueed mushroom risotto

Tasting Notes

In the glass, the Craggy Range Aroha Pinot Noir is 100% Pinot Noir – a bright burgundy with a light crimson hue. Ample perfume. A complex bouquet of glazed cherries, lavender and thyme. A fine-boned structure, red fruit dominated and was very focused and pretty. It’s an elegant Aroha release showing great approachability already.

Background

In the Vineyard

La Nina influenced. Began warm and early with only one substantial frost. Above average rainfall post-Christmas, the season cooled to match the long-term norm.

Tasting Note

Craggy Range Te Muna Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019 has a bright cherry with purple hue. Leaps from the glass. Wild strawberry, blueberry, and white truffle notes are all in abundance. The palate has so much excitement and vibrancy yet an undeniable depth of flavour. Red fruits and savoury notes are all present here. The acidity is fresh, yet doesn’t detract from the silky mouthfeel – still a long road ahead for this wine.

In the Vineyard

Cool and damp spring followed by warm and dry summer & autumn.

Handpicked from the higher terrace of the vineyard and fermented with indigenous yeast producing a wine with a silky layered texture providing interest and complexity.

Food Match

Craggy Range Te Muna Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019 matches beautifully with pan-seared and roasted duck leg, fresh pasta, and sauteed mushroom risotto

Tasting Notes

Craggy Range Te Muna Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 has a deep burgundy in colour with a crimson hue. A plethora of brambled fruits and porcini mushrooms lead the bouquet. With an exciting and vibrant palate, a red-fruited core wraps the velvet tannin with an undeniable depth of flavour—a long road ahead for this wine that will reward with age.

In the Vineyard

A cool damp spring resulted in low yields, followed by a warm summer that accelerated ripening conditions.

Handpicked from the higher terrace of the vineyard and fermented with indigenous yeast producing a wine with a silky layered texture providing interest and complexity.

Food Match

Serve Craggy Range Te Muna Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 with Spring lamb and garlic potatoes

Vintage

The 2020 vintage faced challenges with frost and hailstorms in spring. Conditions improved afterward, though temperatures remained cooler and significantly drier, nearing drought levels similar to 2013. The result was pristine fruit at harvest.

Winery

Tasting Notes

Tasting Note

Craggy Range Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc 2022 showcases precision and purity, offering aromas of fresh kaffir lime leaf and delicate white floral notes. Moreover, its sophisticated character delivers abundant fruit flavors, a well-balanced texture, and a crystalline finish that lingers.

Vineyards

The Te Muna Road vineyard, located in Martinborough’s Wairarapa subregion on New Zealand’s southeastern North Island, produces the exceptional grapes for this wine. This vineyard features two distinct terraces. Firstly, the lower terrace boasts young, stony soils with limestone, creating an optimal environment for Sauvignon Blanc. Additionally, Martinborough’s cooler climate enhances aromatic qualities and imparts steely minerality. Meanwhile, the rocky soils add intensity to the fruit.

Furthermore, the region’s warm, dry summers and mild winters foster wines with complexity, structure, and elegant finishes. The VSP-trained vines maximize sunlight exposure and improve airflow, ensuring healthy growth. Innovative pruning techniques further enhance sap flow and reduce trunk disease. To prioritize sustainability, the vineyard team minimizes herbicide use, integrates cover crops, and shifts toward an organic-based spray program. Lastly, all grapes are carefully hand-harvested, preserving their quality.