Tasting Note: A lifted and expressive blend of Merlot and Tannat, showing aromas of dark berries, plum and subtle florals, layered with notes of spice and tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied and supple, with bramble fruit supported by fine tannins and fresh acidity. Balanced and approachable, finishing smooth with a gentle savoury edge.

Alcohol: 13.0%

Variety: Merlot & Tannat

Region: Northland, New Zealand

This is the second release of this Chardonnay, following on from a micro release in 2024. Situated on the chalky hillside of this tiny North Canterbury single vineyard, the Chardonnay vines work hard in the prevailing warm winds. Each task is performed in the vineyard with quality in mind and the work is lovingly done by hand throughout the season. Hand picked at the end of March, whilst the vines were enjoying a prolonged period of dry Autumn weather. Gently whole-bunch pressed, with the new juice going into French oak barrels for a natural fermentation over the following months. Aged for 10 months and bottled without fining.

VARIETY - Chardonnay
REGION - North Canterbury
SUB-REGION - Waipara
VINEYARD DETAILS - Single Vineyard Isolated Hill, grown on chalky limestone soils.
PRESSING - Whole bunch
TIME IN BARRELS - 10 months, 3 barrels
AGE OF OAK33%  - 1 yr old, 33% 2 yr old, 33% 3 yr old +. Very fine grained, French.
MALOLACTIC - Yes, naturally in Springtime
ALCOHOL - 13.5%
pH - 3.49
TA - 5.60g/L

2019 Vintage:

2019 started slowly due to a long-lasting winter season. A rainy April and a fresh May produced a season in line with more traditional development. The high temperatures during June and July combined with the availability of water in the soil to create the conditions for rapid plant growth. August was mild with good rainfall. The harvest started regularly. The grapes were healthy with slightly higher acidity than the average and, for the red ones, a high accumulation of anthocyanins and an excellent polyphenol profile.

Harvest & Winemaking:

Grape bunches are hand-sorted on a vibrating table and chilled with carbonic snow to avoid oxidation and reduce considerably the use of sulphur. After destemming, berries are hand-sorted on a second vibrating table and finally softly crushed. 

The must is cold soak to preserve its best characters before fermentation in stainless steel vats at controlled temperature. The maceration is long acting using délestage and, partially, submerged cap technique for over 20 days.

Colour: deep ruby red with garnet hues.

Nose: wide, intense and pleasant bouquet with scent of liquorice and tobacco, spices, leather and faded roses. 

Palate: fine, velvety, medium to full bodied and very well balanced with silky tannins and elegant finish

It pairs with hunting game, roasts, mature cheeses and truffle dishes.

Amarone, classic wine from the Valpolicella region, is a new, exciting venture for the Pieropan family. It comes from the desire to test our skills with the Valpolicella zone, which though a neighbour of Soave, is very different and completely unique. It stems also from the desire to make a top red wine, both rich and structured, but also elegant and fine in line with the whole Pieropan range.

The Producer

The Pieropan Winery in the town of Soave is one of Italy's most accomplished and critically acclaimed of all wine estates in the country. Soave has been produced here since the early 1900s, and their versions, ranging from a classic offering as well as two cru (single vineyard) versions are routinely considered among the finest Soaves of the entire production zone.

For many years, Leonildo Pieropan managed the estate, and in doing so helped preserve the huge quality of Soave, all this while many producers released simple, inexpensive versions that too often typified this lovely Italian white wine. Thanks to Pieropan and a few others artisans, Soave could still be characterized as one of Italy's finest whites, one that could age for a decade or more when treated in a proper fashion.

Sadly, Leonildo Pieropan passed away in 2018 at the age of 71, having worked 50 harvests in Soave. Today his sons Andrea and Dario continue their father's passionate work not only with Soave, but also with a few local reds such as Valpolicella and Amarone.

Texture is an edgeless velvet with a slow deep river flow that delivers complete and rounded flavours from the first sip.  A universe in your glass.

Those flavours may include nut or caramelised apricot.  Smokey, cherry, cinnamon, dried manuka and dark chocolate.  You'll know immediately that you are on - feel, flavour and length envelop the senses and linger, transporting you somewhere opulent.

The wine to accompany your dinner with Agent Smith as you decide to sell out your species and plug back in to the Matrix.

Unfined, unfiltered.   Hand-harvested.

Single-vineyard, premium Pinot Noir.

Subtlety, depth & gravity - reflecting the play of the season, the land & the people who worked it.

Dark cherry, vanilla & mushroom.  A sense of black liquorice strap & nutty/spices.    

Rain & sun were fickle.  But when we needed it ... "C'mon, gissa smile Sun", from Sun O by Hone Tuwhare.  And he did!

Unfiltered, unfined.  Hand-harvested.

Michael Cooper, Jul 2025  (★★★★★)

The delicious 2024 vintage is the middle-tier Pinot Noir (above Moss Oaks and below Premium Reserve) from this producer at Opaki, in the northern Wairarapa.  Deeply coloured, it is weighty and notably rich, with highly concentrated, well-ripened cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, showing excellent complexity, finely balanced tannins, and a lasting finish.  Likely to be long-lived, it's well worth cellaring to 2029+

Perfectly sized for modern life - Radiates gold and tastes of flame-caramelised pineapple.  Flavours, tannins, and acidity have the balance and poise of a prima Ballerina.  Creamy texture with a full court-press presence and a long finish.  Dry. Beautiful.  

For the kitchen, table, deck, couch, or blanket.  Wherever you take your little luxury.

Hand-harvested.  13.5% alc/bv

Perfectly sized for modern life - Brilliant ruby colour.  Juicy, savoury deliciousness. Ripe cherry and plum with twings of spice, nut and dark chocolate.  Black tea tannins.  Premium Pinot Noir. Made for contemplation and unwinding.

Unfined.  Unfiltered. Hand harvested.    13% alc/bV

The Marchand Tawse Marsannay Rouge 2022 is an expressive, organic Pinot Noir from the northernmost appellation of Burgundy's Côte de Nuits. It features ripe red fruit profiles like strawberry and red plum, balanced by fine spices, velvety tannins, and a signature mineral, saline finish.

The David Moreau Santenay Rouge 2022 is an elegant, medium-bodied Pinot Noir from Burgundy. It features vibrant red berry aromas (cherries and crushed strawberries), earthy mineral touches, and a refined, graceful structure. It offers a perfect balance of bright acidity and fine-grained tannins

From 1.15 hectares of southeast-facing limestone vineyards planted between 1970 and 1994 at 820ft elevation, this elegant wine matures for 9–10 months in oak, with 25% new barrels. Delicate and refined, it offers bright fruit-driven character and graceful structure. Approachable in youth yet capable of short-term cellaring, it pairs beautifully with Charolais beef.

Goisot Côtes d’Auxerre Rouge 2023 shows a vibrant, cool-climate Pinot Noir profile with bright red cherry, wild strawberry and subtle cranberry fruit. Fine floral notes of violet and rose sit over a distinctly limestone-driven mineral backbone. The palate is fresh and elegant with fine tannins, lively acidity and a gently savoury, earthy finish that reflects its northern Burgundy origins region.

Paquet Victoire Pinot Noir 2023 is a bright, supple red showing lifted aromas of cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry, with subtle floral and earthy undertones. The palate is medium-bodied and silky, driven by fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins. Gentle spice and a touch of forest floor add depth, finishing clean, elegant and refreshingly vibrant on the finish with mineral lift.

An excellent bouquet of purity and finesse, with aromas of white peach and nectarine layered alongside lemon curd, subtle brioche, and a whisper of toasted hazelnut. A gentle thread of flinty minerality and saline freshness weaves through the nose, complemented by delicate floral notes and a touch of spice from well-integrated oak. On the palate, a dry wine with medium+ intensity, showcasing stone fruit and citrus flavours framed by fine acidity and a creamy, poised texture. The oak is understated yet supportive, adding complexity without overshadowing the fruit, while a mineral backbone and hints of struck stone speak clearly of site and season. Harmonious and precise, with a long, refined finish and excellent structure for ageing. Best drinking from late 2026 through 2035.