Owned by the Neylon family, Rapaura Springs has an astonishing track record of Trophies and top points for its wines. The family started their farming career with mussels and apples but found vines much more rewarding and since making this move haven’t looked back. Their goal is to enhance the environment around them through sustainable vineyard and winemaking practices that will leave a natural legacy for future generations. Rapaura Springs have a philosophy of minimum intervention, and all vineyards are carefully managed under strict Sustainable Wine Growing New Zealand standards. They let Marlborough’s land, climate and water do the hard work, then handcraft superb wines at the state of the art winery, leaving the vineyards to tell their own story, with just a little nudge in the right direction from experienced viticulture and winemaking teams. The result is a selection of focused, terroir-driven Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs with outstanding varietal expression.
The Limestone Terrace Vineyard is located in the Ward sub-region of Marlborough’s Southern Coast. Close proximity to the ocean means this spectacularly rugged site is exposed to the cool southerly winds that naturally inhibit yields. This Pinot Noir is rich with dark fruit flavours and fine structure.
Fruit was hand selected and clonally harvested in the cool of the morning and bought into the winery to be held overnight in the chiller. The following day the fruit was processed into small fermenters with the use of some whole bunch components to aid in complexity. Pressed and racked into a selection of New and older French oak barrels and aged for 10 months before blending. 100% French Barriques with 30% New Oak.
The 2018 growing season was not without some challenges. December enjoyed perfect flowering conditions, January was one of the warmest on record, February delivered some rain and March was characterised by extended dry periods and high sunshine hours. Meticulous canopy management was used to ensure the crop ripened cleanly in this difficult season.
Vibrant fresh blueberry and red current fruits are complimented by a lovely floral high toned herbal element that’s associated with the whole bunch character. The palate is complex with ripe red berry and plum fruits. Fresh rosemary and thyme herbs compliment the bright fruits and offer a lovely savoury element.
Perfectly paired with a rare fillet steak or mushroom risotto.
Best served at 15-17°C
Awatere, Marlborough, New Zealand
100% Pinot Noir
Screwcap
12.5%
0.4g/l
6/l
3.62
Yes
No
