Mānatu Estate, Central Otago
Viticulture
From the Snake’s Tongue parcel planted in 2007 at Mānatu Estate in Lowburn, Central Otago. Abel clone meticulously farmed to the highest standard in its third year of organic conversion producing stellar fruit. Soils are predominantly loess over deep silts that have developed pedogenic lime deposits.
Winemaking
33% whole bunch with the remainder gently de-stemmed to maintain a high percentage of whole berries. Fermented using wild yeasts in an open top concrete tulipe fermenter for 21 days. Aged in French barrels for 12 months, 30% new oak, then blended and aged for a further 6 months in oak prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting notes
Bright ruby hue. The nose is complex and alluring, with dark fruits, cherries, and cloves, evoking forest floor and wild thyme. On the palate, the wine has subdued power, with flavors of red fruits and game meats. The mouthfeel is plush and silky, with a juicy and evocative structure that expresses the uniqueness of this remarkable vineyard.
~ 94 POINTS ~
The 2022 Snake's Tongue Pinot Noir won't be released until October 2024, so this is definitely a pre-release tasting, but it’s a wonderful insight into what is to come. There’s petrichor, asphalt, graphite, black tea, satsuma plum, cherry flesh and red apple skins. This has the tannic density of the 2021, but there is far more restraint and delicacy in the fruit profile. I love the way this performs in the mouth, with dried ginger, blood orange, red pepper, a hint of sesame seed and orchard fruit. A superb wine of presence and delicacy.
- Erin Larkin, Robert Parker The Wine Advocate
