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Yield 25 hl/ha. Fermented (32% whole bunch) with indigenous yeasts in a combination of open-top stainless-steel tanks and French oak cuves. Matured for 12 months in French oak barriques (30% new). TA 5.43 g/l, pH 3.69, RS 0 g/l. Cured meats and wood spice dominate the nose, coating and slightly hiding the fruit. Polished, sweet cherries and strawberries come through on the palate, but this is a slick, spicy, medium-bodied and modern Pinot. (TP)
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Jancis Robinson MW
Tom Parker MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
This is crunchy and vibrant, with raspberry, soft floral aromatics and fresh acidity, deepened by waves of blueberry and morello cherry through the mid palate. Subtle toasted oak, with warm incense, cumin and smoke as it opens. 2021 saw an extremely similar growing season to last year's excellent 2020 vintage, but this year they increased whole bunch fermentation from 20% to 50%, and lowered the new oak to 27%, still native yeast fermentation, unfiltered with a light fining. In organic conversion. Director David T Peabody, chief winemaker Julian Grounds, from the Te Muna Road region of Martinborough. You can keep this a few years, or enjoy it now.
Where the 2020 Aroha Pinot Noir is obvious in its outlay of pleasure (the fruit, the tannins and the whole bunches are all distinct characteristics within the wine as a whole), the 2021 Aroha Pinot Noir is a far more svelte, flowing affair with a seamless transition between fruit, tannin and whole bunch (32%). It is characterized by black cherries, a hint of kirsch, black tea, star anise, clove and dehydrated orange peel, jasmine tea, raspberry and a hint of graphite and cocoa dust. This is a really exciting wine here, and it's a statement for New World Pinot. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
Aroha is the flagship Pinot from Craggy Range's Te Muna Road vineyard. In 2021, yields were lower due to a poor spring. The rich concentration on the mid-palate despite it being only a touch bigger than light-bodied. It is richly fruited with ripe, sweet flavors - the smaller yields ripening faster than a larger crop in the warm summer. Succulent and fragrant, evoking layers of florals including geranium, blackberry, cherry, orange peel and elegant woody herbs alongside integrated toasted cedar from 13 months in French oak (30% new). A low level of fine, gravelly tannins coat the palate on the medium length. It's open and charming in its youth, and while it's all very immediate, a little more length and line is needed for a top-drawer score.