This month we head to Martinborough, to find out all about The Elder Pinot, a small Martinborough family business founded in 2010, by Nigel Elder. Nigel and his team are dedicated to the art of crafting exceptionally elegant wines of unparalleled quality from Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris grapes.
The Elder Pinot team’s unwavering dedication to exclusively crafting Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris wines in Martinborough, can be attributed to a profound philosophy rooted in quality and terroir expression. They place a paramount emphasis on producing wines of unparalleled excellence, choosing to focus solely on these two varietals to ensure a meticulous and undivided attention to detail.
What Do They Aspire To?
“Simply to produce single vineyard wines that are characterized by their elegance, complexity, and depth, renowned for their subtle yet captivating flavors, revealing layers of soft fruit, earthiness, and a hint of spice. Savoury, refined, and above all show consistency, balance and harmony.“
“In every bottle there is a story of the land, the climate, and the hands that meticulously tended to the vines and crafted the wines.With every sip, the wine enthusiast embarks on a sensory journey through the very essence of Martinborough.“
Why Just Pinot?
By limiting their portfolio to Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, they can leverage the unique climate, soil, and micro-climates of Martinborough to create wines that are true reflections of the region’s terroir. This singular focus allows them to intimately understand the intricacies of these grapes and tailor their wine-making approach accordingly. Every step of the wine-making process, from vineyard management to fermentation, is carefully curated to accentuate the distinctive characteristics of each varietal.
Furthermore, this dedicated approach allows them to consistently produce single vineyard wines of uncompromised quality. With a commitment to using only estate-grown fruit from the finest vintages, they maintain a meticulous standard that resonates through every bottle created. In a new world wine landscape that often celebrates diversity, their focused approach stands out as a testament to a devotion to showcasing the unique essence of Martinborough’s terroir through the lens of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
Read more on Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris here: https://www.theelderpinot.com/why-pinot
The Vineyard
To date, the fruit for The Elder Pinot wines is sourced from a vineyard located at the Southern end of the Te Muna Valley, at the confluence of the Huangarua and Ruakokopatuna rivers, and protected from the South by a low rise. The vines are in sight of Craggy Range and Escarpment vineyards, but on a significantly more elevated terrace, resulting in a largely frost free site.
The soil profile is elevated river bed over large limestone boulders; seriously stony, with very low fertility and a notable mineral element. Planted in 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Gris, the Pinot Noir vines are 20+ years old, spread across a number of clones, and the Pinot Gris vines are 15-17 years old.
Going forward, Nigel is now sourcing fruit from a range of different Martinborough sites, to be released as single vineyard wines that will show the different expressions of the Martinborough terroir.
“Dedicated to the art of crafting exceptionally elegant wines of unparalleled quality, they remain steadfast in upholding their commitment to sustainability and the preservation of the natural environment. Their mission is to transcend the ordinary, curating wines that exude opulence and elegance. “
Through their meticulous processes, they transcend the boundaries of excellence, inviting connoisseurs into a world where luxury and sophistication converge. The Elder Pinot wines are the epitome of exclusivity, a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation that culminate in liquid perfection. From the vineyard to the bottle, every step is a symphony of meticulous care, ensuring that only the most impeccable flavors grace your palate.
“Each bottle is a testament to their devotion to the finest details, resulting in an experience that is nothing short of lavish. With an unwavering dedication to their craft, they seek to redefine the expectations of wine enthusiasts.”
The Wines
The limited production of The Elder Pinot wines means that they are often quickly allocated or pre-purchased by their loyal clientele, who value meticulously crafted estate bottled wines. Joining the private client list is essential to secure access to The Elder Pinot wines, an exclusive and highly sought-after collection. Membership offers the privilege of being among the first to acquire these exceptional wines.
By becoming a part of The Elder private client list, you ensure that you don’t miss out on the opportunity to own these rare and exquisite wines. Additionally, you gain access to personalized offers, events, and a curated wine experience tailored to the discerning tastes of their esteemed clients. To express your interest in joining the client list or purchasing wine.
https://www.theelderpinot.com/join-the-waitlist
Current Releases
2019 Martinborough Pinot Noir
Aromas of ripe dark berry fruits dominate the nose, with hints of spice and mocha notes in the background adding complexity. Rich yet soft tannins form the backbone of this succulent and vibrant Pinot Noir. Spice flavours come through on the mid palate along with ripe dark cherry flavours and underlying savoury notes. This is a superbly balanced, elegant and weighted Pinot capable of ageing for up to ten years.
JB’s Notes: Dark cherry red in colour just starting to show a little brick at the rim, ample bodied wine. Intense, fragrant nose of cherry & dark berry aromas, choccy, espresso & spice notes, savoury earth. Succulent, concentrated palate with cherry, plum & dark berry fruit flavours under-pinned with silky tannins & medium acidity, savoury earth & baking spice, warmth from 14% ABV. A long memorable full-flavoured finish.
2022 Martinborough Pinot Gris
Aromas of white pear and honeysuckle with ginger and floral notes come together beautifully on the nose to from an attractive and refined wine. Serious and rich in style the palate shows lovely weight and texture without cloying and has juicy stone fruit characters and a lovely mineral edge running through the wine. A beautiful lingering finish rounds off a concentrated yet approachable dry style of Pinot Gris.
JB’s Notes: Bright mid-golden in colour with lovely oily viscosity / legs. The nose is fragrant & floral with aromas of sweet pear, white peach fruit then notes of spice / ginger. The palate follows with ripe pear, stone-fruit & spice flavours, a rich creamy & textural mouth feel, with subtle lees / oak influence, medium acidity, all nicely in balance. Long off-dry finish.
2022 Martinborough Pinot Noir Rosé
Light salmon pink in colour with aromas of cherries, watermelon, strawberries and candyfloss on the nose. On the palate the wine is dry to the taste with layers of red fruits and a lovely soft richness helping fill out the wine. This creates a complex yet delicious medium bodied Rosé, with texture and weight. Serve chilled anytime now and for the next 2-3 years.
JB’s Notes: Pretty salmon pink in colour with pale copper hues. In the nose, aromas of sweet red berries, cherries, a little oak spice & a whiff of smoker lollies. The palate is nicely weighted with juicy red berry & cherry fruit flavours, a hint of strawberries & cream, warm spices. Beautifully textured with a crisp acidity & silky tannins, a slight minerality too, then a long off-dry, really persistent finish with a little pepper bite.
To find out more about The Elder Pinot visit:
https://www.theelderpinot.com/
If you would like to be NZ Wine Directory Featured Winery of the Month visit:
https://nzwinedirectory.co.nz/about/featured-winery-campaign/