Sea Pearl Pinot Noir 2013
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Around the cool, shallow waters of New Zealand live the most unique and beautiful species of abalone (Paua). These native creatures have been revered by ancient cultures and in modern times alike for their brilliant iridescent shells, considered to have the widest color spectrum of any abalone in the world. They can produce a stunning pearl, which is a true rarity and treasure of New Zealand.
Their Sauvignon Blanc was crafted from vineyards across Marlborough’s sub-regions of Awatere Valley. The fruit was carefully monitored throughout maturity and was harvested upon reaching optimum flavor development and ripeness. Transported to the winery immediately and pressed off with minimal skin contact, the resulting juice was cool fermented in stainless steel to retain freshness and aromatics. The resulting Sea Pearl Sauvignon Blanc is full of fresh aromas and classic Marlborough flavors of citrus, gooseberries and flinty mineral notes typical of Awatere Valley.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Part of the Wairarapa region in the southern end of the country’s North Island, Martinborough is a bucolic appellation full of artisan, lifestyle wine producers. Above all else, their goals are to tend vineyards for low yields and create wines of supreme quality. Pinot noir is the main grape variety here, occupying over half of the land under vine.
Comparing topography, climate and soils, the region is nearly identical to Marlborough except that it produces top quality reds on the regular.