Walnut Block’s handcrafted Marlborough Pinot Noir is in a class of its own. Dedication in the vineyard, attention to detail at harvest and traditional winemaking techniques amount to a wine with grace and great character.
Chosen for its high-clay-based soil, the vineyard is planted with top-quality Burgundy clones and the vines grown in European-style, high-density planting.
The vines are shoot thinned and fruit thinned down to one bunch per shoot. The extremely low yield ensures even ripening, intense flavours and good tannin structure.
100% handpicked, the fruit is collected in small bins and chilled overnight at 2°C to preserve the flavours. The cold fruit is de-stemmed and crushed into open-top fermenters, and fermented using only natural yeasts.
The wine is aged for 12 months in high-quality French barriques and bottled unfiltered.
Walnut Block wines evolve gracefully over time, Nutcracker Pinot Noir is a perfect example of a wine you can drink now or cellar for the next 6-8 years.
Gold Medal, 2020 NZ Organic Wine Awards
91pts, Real Reviws, Bob Cambell MW
Fresh, lively pinot noir with bright cherry, red fruits, fresh herb, spice, anise and nutty oak flavours supported by tangy acidity and fine tannins
4 Stars, Winestate Magazine, Michael Cooper MW
Deep ruby, it is fragrant, with moderately concentrated, savoury, nutty flavours, showing good complexity, and a fairly firm finish. Best drinking 2021+.
5 Stars, Winestate Magazine, Michael Cooper MW
A more restrained style of pinot noir but one that still has abundant interest. Smoky, toasty oak lies alongside crisp juicy red plum and wild raspberry. Bright and focussed with a lovely cinnamon spice finish
91pts, Real Reviws, Bob Cambell MW
Reasonably light pinot noir with pure and precise cherry, raspberry and red rose flavours. The wine has an ethereal texture, with a dry and very slightly bitter finish (perhaps from alcohol). An appealing organic wine with a distinctive character of its own
89pts Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier
Variteal, earthy then fruity with a mix of red berries and red apple then dried herb and clay. Dry, fruity, lightly savoury and earthy with flavours that reflect the nose. Youthful with plenty of acidity and firm yet fine tannins. A wine that's still dveloping and needs some cellar time
4.5 Stars Winestate Magazine
Certified organic, this characterful wine was hand-picked from 21 year-old vines, fermented with indigenous yeasts and barrel-fermented. Full-bodied and youthful, it is finely textured, with strong, ripe, peachy, biscuity flavours, complex and savoury, and a lasting, very harmonious finish
92pts, 2016 Decanter, NZ Pinot Noir tasting - Top 10 in New Zealand
93pts - Bob Campbell, Master of Wine
A fragrant, aromatic Pinot Noir with violet, cherry, fresh herb, spice, anise and nutty oak flavours. Fine and slightly sappy tannins provide backbone and potential longevity as well as a drying finish. An elegant and appealing wine. Drink 2016 to 2020
4 Stars - Winestate Magazine Michael Cooper MW
Certified organic, this ruby hued red was fermented with indigenous yeasts, barrel-aged for 11 months, and bottled unfiltered. Mouthfilling and savoury, it is youthful, with strong, ripe plum, spice and nut flavours, showing good complexity, and a fragrant bouquet. Best drinking 2017+.
93pts - Bob Campbell, Master of Wine
* Top Ranked, (rating and value)
Attractive Pinot Noir with good density, a silken texture and quite concentrated plum, raspberry, liquorice and a seasoning of classy spick oak. Accessible now but no rush. 10/8/2015
4 Stars - Winestate Magazine Michael Cooper MW
Mouthfilling, sweet-fruited and savoury, with generous cherry, plum and spice flavours, good complexity and a supple, finely textured finish.
92pts - The Wine Gang, UK
Big, bloody, ripe, truffle and game nose, with delicious depth and concentration, this has mouth-filling mid-palate sweetness, but the grip of the finish gives it real authority without losing its touch of sexy, animal character and voluptuousness. Highly drinkable now, but will cellar eight to 10 years surely. June 2016
90pts, Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
4 stars, Raymond Chan
90pts, James Halliday
94pts, Greg Duncan Powell
4.5 Stars Michael Cooper MW
90pts, www.winefront.com.au - Campbell Mattinson
Walnut Block Cottages offer superb 5-star accommodation in a secluded setting among the vines – perfect for travellers seeking a relaxing destination, for wine lovers looking for a taste of the vineyard lifestyle, and for any special occasion.