Corofin Wrekin Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020 (6 Bottles), Marlborough NZ
$348.00
NEW ZEALAND WIDE SHIPPING INCLUDED
Biodynamic. This is Corofin’s second Wrekin Pinot and it’s easy to see why this 14-hectare vineyard is fast becoming a site of significance in the Marlborough landscape. Referencing the cool location and late ripening here, Paterson notes that “Having Pinot on the vine for as long as possible without compromising integrity of site always produces the best results”. The winemaking here is hardly different to the Settlement Pinot, and similarly the wine was raised in seasoned French barrels before finishing its élevage in tank. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Like the previous release, the 2020 Wrekin is the yin to Settlement’s yang. The nose is markedly darker and deeper and the texture plusher and more velveteen. Supple and bright, the palate is laced with wild red and cherry fruits and a fine spiciness. Those delicate 2020 tannins provide shape and a nip of structure. Another engrossing, top-notch release with a freshness and energy you don’t always see in NZ Pinot.
“The supple, savory and aromatically intriguing 2020 Pinot Noir Wrekin Vineyard may not be as broody as the inaugural 2019, but it captures a sense of underlying fruit power. You can expect layers of flavors, from rosemary to Worcestershire sauce to pickled plum. The fruit is pure with no oak flavors in evidence (30% second-fill, the rest older). Well-judged, restrained extraction (relatively short at around 16 days) has resulted in the finest of grips.” 94 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
“Tucked into the hills of the southern valleys, the Wrekin vineyard is organically farmed and has clay-rich soils. This Pinot Noir is aromatic and enticing, with fresh red cherry and plum fruit on the nose as well as some spicy hints. The palate has plenty of flesh: it’s rich and sweetly fruited, but there’s also some redcurrant, a bit of grainy structure, and also some lively acidity that has a slight sweetness to it. It’s a distinctive expression of Marlborough Pinot Noir with a lot of character. Elegant, but also showing some acid lift.” 93 points, Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak
Description
Established in 2011, Corofin is the new home for ex-Jackson Estate winesmith Mike Paterson and his partner Anna, until recently GM at TerraVin.
At this early juncture, while Mike is contracted to another project and Anna busy raising the couple’s two young daughters, Corofin craft two (soon to be three) single-vineyard Pinot Noirs, each in tiny 100-150-case lots. You can read about two of these “pretty special Marlborough sites” below (the third being the Weavers’ ‘Waihopi Slopes’ at Churton). Not too far down the line we’ll see a little Chardonnay as well.
For the time being the wines are made out of temporary digs at Fromm. Having spent the majority of their working years in and about Marlborough, Mike and Anna have no doubt regarding the potential of their adopted region, and were well placed to approach their first choice of vineyards.
Corofin Wrekin Vineyard
