2024 Novum Quarters Vineyard Pinot Noir, Marlborough

Classically proportioned and intricate pinot noir with very finely detailed cherry and raspberry fruit wrapped in layers of manuka wood smoke, cinnamon, new leather and seed spice. The tannins are ripe and sleek, highlighting the long, mid-weight flavours right across the palate, finishing with a persistent violet note. A little youthful austerity on the finish bringing minerality to the fold. Give this another year or two in bottle to relax and enjoy it as it unfolds elegantly over the coming decade 16 Nov 2025 Drink 2027–2037

94 points Stephen Wong MW therealreview.com

Novum Quarters Vineyard Pinot Noir from Marlborough is a wonderfully detailed and quietly luxurious expression of Pinot Noir, crafted by husband and wife duo William Hoare and Rachel Hoare, who have become known for producing some of the most refined, site transparent Pinots in New Zealand. The Quarters Vineyard lies in the Southern Valleys, one of Marlborough’s most prized subregions for Pinot, where clay rich soils, rolling slopes and cooler evening temperatures create fruit with depth, perfume and fine tannin structure. These clay bound hillsides naturally limit yields, concentrating flavour while allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly.

The fruit is hand picked in small passes, with each parcel fermented separately to preserve the nuances across the vineyard. Wild yeasts run the ferment, and a carefully judged portion of whole bunches contributes aromatic lift, spice and textural complexity. Gentle extraction protects the wine’s silky, lacy tannin profile. Maturation in French oak, mostly seasoned, shapes the wine without dimming its purity. Novum’s philosophy is always to craft wines that feel effortless yet intricately detailed, and the Quarters Vineyard Pinot reflects that ethos perfectly.

Aromatic expression is both elegant and quietly powerful. Red cherry, wild strawberry and raspberry mingle with rose petal, cranberry and hints of orange peel. Beneath the lifted fruit lie savoury undertones of dried thyme, subtle cedar, forest floor and a fine mineral note that echoes the clay rich Southern Valleys soils. As the wine opens, gentle tones of pomegranate, sandalwood and cocoa deepen the bouquet.

The palate flows with grace. A core of pristine red fruit moves across finely woven tannins, giving the wine both texture and airiness. Flavours of cherry, redcurrant, spiced plum and subtle herbal notes unfold gradually, underpinned by bright acidity that keeps everything poised. There’s a distinct sense of place in the wine’s mineral undercurrent, adding line and definition. The finish is long, pure and quietly savoury, lingering with red fruit, florals and a cool, earthy nuance. It will age beautifully for seven to ten years, gaining complexity and soft truffle like layers.

This is a superb companion for dishes that reward finesse: duck breast with berry gastrique, mushroom and thyme risotto, herb roasted chicken, grilled salmon, beetroot salads, charcuterie, washed rind cheeses or truffle infused pasta. A slight chill highlights its perfume and tension.