2016 Marlborough Pinot Noir, Greywacke Archive Release

• Style: Aromatic, medium-bodied cool-climate Pinot Noir
• Taste: Red and black berries, oregano, clove, fruitcake richness, vibrant acidity
• Food: Roast dinners, mushroom & truffle, pasta & risotto, poultry, cured meats
• Occasion: Date night, gifting
• Serve: 13.5% ABV, screwcap, serve cool

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Perfumed intensity rises from the first pour: red and black berries meet dried oregano and clove, with a whisper of smoke beneath. The palate echoes these aromatics with roundness and fruitcake richness, supported by the crisp acidity that cool-climate winemaking naturally imparts. Delicate without being thin, layered without overreaching, this is Pinot Noir made for food rather than for show.

The Winery — Greywacke

Kevin Judd, who spent 25 years as chief winemaker at Cloudy Bay, founded Greywacke in 2009. The name honours the rounded greywacke river stones abundant in the vineyard's soils — a sedimentary rock characteristic of Marlborough. For the 2016 vintage, fruit comes principally from the Yarrum Vineyard on the Brancott ridge. Hand-harvesting, overnight chilling, careful sorting, and partial whole-bunch fermentation with indigenous yeasts precede 18 months in 30% new French oak. This is craftsmanship that understands Pinot Noir's delicate character demands restraint and precision.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Balance and finesse make this wine a natural partner for roasted chicken with herbs, soft cheeses like Bié or aged goat's cheese, and lean beef dishes. Mushroom and truffle preparations, pasta and risotto, cured meats and charcuterie all shine alongside it. At 13.5% alcohol with crisp acidity, the screwcap makes opening and keeping effortless. Vegan and vegetarian friendly, it's perfect for date night or gifting to someone who appreciates New Zealand wine made with uncompromising precision. This archive release stands alongside the finest expressions we've curated — a compelling reminder of why cool regions unlock Pinot Noir's true character.