2023 Marlborough Pinot Noir, Greywacke

• Style: Cool-climate Pinot Noir, aromatic and structured
• Taste: Lilac, wild cherry, tamarillo with fine-grained tannins
• Food: Roast dinners, game, aged cheeses, charcuterie
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night, special meals
• Serve: 13% ABV, chill slightly, drink fresh

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Dark in colour for a cool-climate expression, this wine opens with lilac and pumpernickel on the nose, followed by bramble and wild cherry as it breathes. The palate delivers tamarillo and grilled nectarine over a spine of fine-grained tannins that feel restrained rather than assertive. At 13% ABV with crisp acidity, it tastes alive—a wine that won't flatten through a meal.

The Winery — Greywacke

Founded in 2009 by Kevin Judd, Greywacke draws its name from the rounded river stones that dominate the soils of its Rapaura vineyard, a sedimentary rock abundant across Marlborough. Judd spent 25 years as chief winemaker at Cloudy Bay, building the region's international standing before establishing his own label. The 2023 fruit came primarily from Yarrum Vineyard in the Southern Valleys, where elevation and wind maintain slow ripening and bright flavours. A mixed clone selection was hand-harvested in late February, chilled overnight and sorted by hand. Most fruit was destemmed with some whole-bunch kept intact to build aromatics while preserving delicate character. Eleven months in French oak (30% new) followed, with individual clones aged separately before blending—a technique that allows each to express itself before assembly. The vintage itself was warm and dry across New Zealand, yielding pristine, concentrated fruit despite spring frost challenges.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This Pinot Noir belongs alongside roasted beef, game birds, and aged cheeses—its acidity and structure cut through richness without demanding the spotlight. It's equally suited to braised chicken or Marlborough's finest cured meats. For Sunday lunch or a date night centred on something special, this sits at the heart of what makes the region worth exploring. If you're building a Pinot Noir selection that moves beyond the familiar, this one rewards serious attention.