Merekara Pinot Noir “Grace’s Secret” 2024 is an elegant, cool-climate red from Merekara Wines, an ultra-boutique, family-run winery in the Awatere Valley of Marlborough, New Zealand, founded by Dutch winemakers Sandra and Jaco van Hensbergen who handcraft tiny parcels of terroir-expressive wines with minimal intervention, meticulous care in the vineyard and boutique production. This single-vineyard Pinot Noir takes its name from Grace, the youngest member of the family, and exemplifies the winery’s philosophy of purity and precise fruit expression. The grapes are 100 % Pinot Noir, hand-harvested and cooled before fermentation with a portion of whole bunches, then aged in French oak (as with earlier vintages) to build texture and complexity while preserving freshness. In the glass it typically shows a medium-bodied, translucent ruby colour with a fragrant nose of cherry and plum, forest floor and gentle spice, framed by subtle herbal and earthy notes. The palate delivers layers of ripe dark plum, red berries and finely integrated spice, with refreshing acidity and silky tannins that give balance and a long, dry finish. This Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with roasted duck, herb-crusted lamb, grilled pork or mushroom-based dishes, and also drinks beautifully on its own as an elegant expression of Marlborough Pinot. Why we love this wine? This wine is light and fragrant with cherries and plums ending in a delicious earthy spice!
