2021 Hans Herzog Pinot Noir, Marlborough

Hans Herzog Pinot Noir from Marlborough is a rare treat, crafted by one of New Zealand’s most obsessive and uncompromising winemakers. Hans Herzog, a Swiss-born vigneron, brought his family’s centuries-long winemaking heritage to Marlborough in the 1990s, and his estate quickly became known for pushing the boundaries. Unlike most producers in the region, who focus almost entirely on Sauvignon Blanc, Herzog planted an astonishing array of varieties, from Arneis to Zweigelt, and farms them all biodynamically with meticulous attention to detail.

The Pinot Noir is one of the crown jewels of his portfolio. Planted on gravels and silt loams along the banks of the Wairau River, the vines benefit from Marlborough’s cool climate, long sunshine hours, and crisp diurnal shifts that preserve elegance while allowing full ripeness. In the cellar, Hans works in tiny lots, with wild fermentation and long maceration before aging the wine in fine French oak.

The result is a Pinot Noir that is both Burgundian in structure and deeply expressive of Marlborough terroir. Expect wild raspberry, black cherry, and plum layered with notes of forest floor, truffle, spice, and a hint of smoky oak. There’s a textural richness to the palate balanced by fine-boned acidity and a persistent mineral edge. This is not a fruit bomb—it’s a thoughtful, age-worthy Pinot that reveals more complexity with each swirl of the glass.

Cellaring potential is excellent, with the wine able to develop beautifully for 8 to 15 years, gaining earthy, savoury depth. Food pairings lean towards refined dishes: duck breast with cherry jus, venison carpaccio, or mushroom risotto.