Lake Chalice – Pinot Noir ‘Raptor’ – 2023

PRODUCER NOTE:
Lake Chalice was established in 1989 with a vision of producing internationally recognised wines from the heart of the Marlborough region. New Zealand’s native falcon, the ‘Kārearea’, is proudly displayed on every bottle of Lake Chalice wine. Kārearea favour the remote mountains and foothills of the upper Awatere and Wairau valleys and these valleys are home to Lake Chalice’s three unique vineyard sites. Each vineyard has a diverse microclimate, biodiversity and terroir which are seamlessly translated into multi award winning wines by talented winemaker Chloe Gabrielsen. Taking a boutique approach she handcrafts parcels of fruit from single vineyards into elegant, aromatic, fruit driven wines and has garnered a global reputation of outstanding quality. Certified ‘Sustainable Winegrower of New Zealand’.

VINTAGE:
The 2023 vintage saw less than ideal flowering conditions, which led to below average yields. Despite this, the fruit quality was exceptional, displaying incredible varietal character and depth of flavour.

VINEYARD:
The fruit for this wine comes exclusively from Lake Chalice’s 11 hectare Eyrie Vineyard, which is located in the lower Waihopai Valley. The fruit is a hand-picked selection of clone 115 Pinot Noir. The 15 year old vines are pruned to two canes and the yields are carefully monitored, resulting in an intense fruit expression in the grapes. The high clay content in the soil profile is well suited to bringing out the best in the Pinot Noir variety.

WINEMAKING:
The grapes were fermented in small open top vats, enabling maximum hand plunging. The wine was pressed and racked into barrels where it underwent full malolactic conversion. The wine was then matured for 11 months aging in 11 selected Tonnellerie Mercurey and François Frères French oak barriques, of which over one third were new. The final blending was carefully selected from the barrels delivering the greatest expression.

TASTING NOTE:
An elegant and aromatic Pinot Noir, delivering intense notes of blackberry, plum and cherry fruit with delicate and lifted floral aromas. Beautifully structured, with fine grained tannins, the flavours are echoed on the smooth, supple palate, flowing through to hints of coffee on the lingering finish.

GRAPE:
Pinot Noir 100%.

COUNTRY:
New Zealand

REGION:
Marlborough

SUB-REGION:
Marlborough