The Wrekin Needle’s Eye Pinot Noir 2020 is a high-quality, estate-grown Pinot from The Wrekin Vineyard, a certified organic and biodynamically farmed estate in the Southern Valleys of Marlborough, New Zealand, known for producing expressive, terroir-driven wines that reflect the region’s clay and greywacke soils and cool-climate character. The vineyard’s north-facing slopes and careful viticulture give its Pinot Noir a distinctive structure and depth, while the Needle’s Eye bottling represents fruit from across all of the vineyard’s Pinot blocks. The 2020 vintage was the first certified organic release, with grapes hand-picked and fermented with wild yeasts, about 7 % whole bunches included, and matured for around 12 months in old French oak without new oak influence. The wine has an alcohol of roughly 14 %, capturing both concentration and balance. On the nose and palate it shows rich dark fruits such as concentrated blackberries, dark cherries and cooked strawberry, complemented by floral notes, hints of olive and toasted almond, and polished, fine tannins. The mouthfeel is plush and well-rounded, with a long, lingering finish that speaks to both power and finesse. Highly regarded by critics (with scores around mid-90s), this Pinot is approachable now but also has excellent ageing potential through the early 2030s. This wine pairs beautifully with roasted duck, lamb or game, earthy mushroom dishes and rich, herb-infused cuisine, and benefits from decanting to open up its layered aromas and mature complexity. why we love this wine? We love the velvety richness of this wine!
