Nga Waka Pinot Noir 2020

Martinborough is often referred to as New Zealand's 'grand cru' equivalent region, renowned for producing some of the country's finest Pinot Noir. The region's unique terroir combines free-draining gravelly soils with a cool, dry climate that allows Pinot Noir grapes to develop complex flavours while retaining natural acidity. This creates the perfect conditions for elegant, food-friendly wines like this Nga Waka expression.

The five spice and clove aromas in this Pinot Noir come from a combination of the grape's natural compounds and careful winemaking techniques. These exotic spice characteristics often emerge when Pinot Noir grapes achieve optimal ripeness in cool climates, allowing the development of complex phenolic compounds. The interplay between fruit and spice creates the wine's intriguing aromatic profile that distinguishes quality Martinborough Pinot Noir.

Slinky tannins refer to the wine's smooth, supple texture that glides across the palate without being harsh or grippy. In this medium-bodied Pinot Noir, these refined tannins provide structure and backbone while maintaining elegance and drinkability. This textural quality is a hallmark of well-made Pinot Noir, where the tannins support rather than dominate the delicate fruit flavours.

The exceptional ratings (97pts from Michael Cooper, 95pts from Bob Campbell) reflect the wine's outstanding balance of intensity and finesse. Critics have recognised the complexity achieved by Nga Waka's small-scale, family-owned approach to winemaking, where attention to detail in both vineyard and cellar creates wines of remarkable depth. The combination of Martinborough's premium terroir and the producer's 35+ years of experience results in Pinot Noir that showcases both regional character and winemaking excellence.

Serve this Pinot Noir slightly below room temperature (around 16-18°C) to highlight its aromatic complexity and silky texture. The wine's medium body and earthy characteristics make it versatile with food - try it with roasted duck, mushroom dishes, or aged cheeses to complement its savoury elements. Decanting for 30 minutes can help open up the five spice and cherry aromas, allowing the wine's full personality to shine through.