Astrolabe Comelybank Waihopai Valley
Pinot Noir
2020
The pinot noir at Comelybank is our most ‘Marlborough’ in flavour and structure. This site at the lower reaches of the Waihopai Valley is where the fruit for our first Marlborough pinot noir came from, and it still underpins our Marlborough Province blend. The fruit here gives bright, vibrant red cherry with svelte, plush tannins and an elegant structure. I feel that it reflects the Southern Valleys pinot noir region of Marlborough very truly and showcases what is great about Marlborough as a growing region for pinot noir.
The Comelybank Pinot Noir was made using traditional winemaking techniques of hand picking, wild fermentation with the natural yeast, managing the fermentation cap by hand and extended oak aging. For this wine, I am looking for a full, plush palate structure and attractive red and black cherry aromas.
Simon Waghorn — Winemaker
TASTING NOTES
COLOUR/APPEARANCE
Dark ruby red.
AROMA/BOUQUET
Earthy and gamey, with dark and red cherry and notes of clove and old rose.
PALATE
Rich, sweet, plush fruit, with concentrated, juicy plum and velvety tannins.
AGING POTENTIAL
This wine should cellar well, for at least six years.
FOOD PAIRING
Pan-seared duck breast, lamb, quail, roasted beetroot and osso buco.
PINOT NOIR SERVING TEMPERATURE
Cool room temperature.
2020 vintage
94 POINTS
"Complex and pure with aromas of mineral and gentle savoury spices, a core of red berries and dark cherry then wood spices from vanilla to a dusty clove quality. Delicious on the palate with flavours of plum and cherry, a fine savoury complexity and dried herb quality. Firm-ish youthful tannins and acidity allow for further bottle ageing with best drinking from late 2023 through 2030+." APR 22
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Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier
5 STARS
"Already delicious, the 2020 vintage (5*) was grown in the lower Waihopai Valley, hand-harvested and matured for 16 months in French oak casks. Finely textured, it is a bright ruby, full-bodied, savoury red, with concentrated, ripe berry and spice flavours, hints of herbs and nuts, impressive complexity, supple tannins and a very harmonious finish. Best drinking 2023+." JUL 22
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Michael Cooper
New Zealand Wines: Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide
Sustainably certified SWNZ