2023 Limited Release 1203 Pinot Noir
Our 1203 Pinot Noir is a true reflection of our Fareham Lane vineyard, where exceptional terroir and meticulous care come together. It captures the vibrant flavours, fine tannins, and subtle earthy tones that define Marlborough Pinot Noir. Hand- harvested in small parcels, the fruit is carefully handled to preserve its freshness and purity. The resulting wine offers a harmonious balance of lush red fruits, delicate spice, and refined tannins, showcasing the depth of our vineyard. Over time, this Pinot Noir will evolve beautifully, rewarding cellaring with greater complexity and depth.
Alcohol: 12.80% pH: 3.57
R/S: 0.74 g/L TA: 5.60 g/L
- Regular price
- $44.99
- Sale price
- $44.99
- Regular price
-
Mount Stokes
Inspired by Mount Stokes, the highest point in the Marlborough Sounds, rising 1203 metres high, we crafted 1203 wines to reflect the boldness and rugged beauty of this landscape, showcasing the region’s distinct character in every bottle, delivering purity, depth and structure that stands the test of time.
Tasting Notes
1203 Pinot Noir opens with inviting aromas of ripe dark cherries, blackberries, and a hint of violet, accented by subtle layers of oak spice and vanilla. On the palate, it’s rich and silky, offering flavours of juicy plum, dark chocolate, and a touch of liquorice. The texture is smooth and creamy, with delicate hints of toasted nuts and sweet spices. A long, complex finish leaves lingering notes of dark fruit and soft, earthy undertones. With its structure and depth, this wine has excellent cellaring potential and will develop grace-fully for the next 8 to 10 years.
Winemaking
Hand-harvested in the cool of the morning, the grapes for 1203 Pinot Noir were carefully processed into small vats. A week of cold soaking followed, allowing the extraction of vibrant colour and fine tannins while preserving the wine’s fresh, fruity aromas. Fermentation then kicked off with a mix of indigenous and selected yeasts. Once complete, the wine was gently pressed into French oak barriques—40% new and 60% seasoned from last year. Natural malolactic fermentation softened the acidity and added a lush and creamy texture, the wine then spent 15 months maturing in oak before tasting each barrel and selecting the best to create 1203 Pinot Noir
Expert Opinions
2023 Vintage
95 Points (5 Stars)
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
"Sweetly ripe with seductive complexity, the fragrant bouquet shows dark cherry, rich floral, charcuterie, thyme and toasted almond characters. The palate displays silky texture combined with expansive mouthfeel, finishing impressively long and engaging. The wine offers graceful power and poise with splendid harmony and structure. At its best: now to 2033."