2016 Hans Herzog Pinot Noir, Marlborough

The grapes were given four days to cold-soak before a natural wild yeast initiation of the ferment. The wine spent 24 days on skins before being pressed and transferred into 20% new French Allier barriques for malolactic fermentation and further aging for 20 months. Unfined & unfiltered to retain the great flavours. Natural sediments may show. Visualise walking through a lush Mediterranean herb garden and jumping into ripe berry bushes to get a sense of this tribute to Burgundy’s greatest. With hints of dark chocolate and spicy cloves, this is the perfect blend of sweet and savoury with elegant tannins and fine acidity. A graceful star that will age beautifully over the next 10+ years. 

Complex pinot noir with an array of flavours including coffee, plum, rhubarb, mixed spice, cedar and toasty oak characters. A richly-textured wine showing appealing 'forest floor' and 'beef tea' bottle development. 30 DEC 2020 Drink 2021–2025

94 points Bob Campbell MW therealreview.com