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Rays Road Pinot Noir 2021

Kumeu River

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Units Size Case size GBP Price: Quantities Buy
30 75cl Bottle Case 6 £95 per Case Cases [Add to shopping basket]
Tasting Notes

The 2021 Ray's Road Pinot Noir is from Hawke's Bay and is a far weightier rendition than the Hunting Hill tasted next to it. Here, there is an earthy undertow of chewy grip and tannin, layers of tobacco, roasted game, cherry kirsch and summer strawberries. In the mouth, the acidity feels bright and fully resolved, as do the tannins, and the overall package is one of sleek resolution and asphalt/graphite grip. I saw this grittiness as a smoky character in the Hunting Hill, but perhaps it truly is an oak-derived character, as I see an offshoot of it here. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Published: Feb 06, 2025

Score: 91

Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2024 - 2031 06 February 2025

Deep blackish ruby. Very slightly sweaty nose. Sweet violets on the start but the fruit just lacks a little freshness and zip. Don’t know why … Nose seems a bit more developed than the rather stringy palate. Not that long. Seems pretty embryonic. The last vintage of their Hunting Hill Pinot Noir will be 2022 as this vineyard has been completely planted with Chardonnay. The first vintage of their Rays Road Pinot was 2018, like the Rays Road Chardonnay. Pinot vines were originally planted in 2005 with 115, 667, Abel and MV 6 clones and the Brajkoviches have now also planted a couple of Dijon clones. 2021 was a frosted, smallish, concentrated vintage. 100% hand-harvested. 100% destemmed then crushed. Spontaneous fermentation. Two to three weeks’ total cuvaison. Thrice daily remontage or pigeage. 11 months’ maturation.

Score: 15+

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2026 - 2030 05 September 2024