2019 Rapaura Springs Marlborough Rohe Southern Valleys Pinot Noir

Family-owned Rapaura Springs was founded in 2005 and ranks among the top 10 largest wineries in Marlborough. Purity and purity is what Rapaura Springs stands for. For example, the water used for the vines comes from the Rapaura Spring water source, far away from the vineyards. This crystal clear and pure water from the Wairau River flows through the rocks and takes 6 months to reach the vineyards. The word 'Rapaura' therefore means: flowing water. There is great attention to detail within the New Zealand winery and the makers strive to make the most exceptional, clean and pure wines. All wines are sustainably produced.

Rohe means territory in Te Reo means Māori and the wines of Rohe series is a range of wines created to showcase the unique flavors of Marlborough. Marlborough's sub-regions have yet to be fully understood, each district offering different flavors and aromas. Making wines exclusively from each wine-making sub-region, the Rohe wine range emphasizes individual sub-regional flavors. Each bottle is crafted and features a bespoke illustration of a Marlborough sub-region. We would call the Rohe wines the Terroir wines of Rapaura Spring

The southern valleys include the valleys of Waihopai, Omaka, Brancott, Ben Morven, Taylor Pass, and Redwood Pass. The sub-region is inland, away from the coast, with cooler evening temperatures during the critical ripening period. The soils consist of shallow loam over clay with a low vigor, producing Pinot Noir with concentrated flavors and supple tannins. Some of the oldest Pinot Noir hillside plantations in Marlborough can be found in this sub-region. The fruit for this wine is harvested by hand from vineyards planted with traditional Dijon clones, located in the Waihopai and Omaka Valleys. Before fermentation, the fruit was cold soaked for five days, 6% of which was whole truss. After fermentation, the must is pressed and the wine is aged for ten months in French oak, with a total of 55% new oak (15% puncheon).

The Rapaura Springs Marlborough Rohe Southern Valleys Pinot Noir has fresh aromas of dark cherries, violets and cinnamon complementing red fruit, chocolate and subtle spice flavors on the palate. The fruit flavors are framed by supple tannins and a core of juicy acidity that give the wine a good backbone for the next 8-10 years.