- 100% Pinot Noir
- Block 3 is situated on a gentle north facing slope in the heart of The Elms vineyard
- Deep bench of silt soil is interspersed with calcareous seams
- The nature of being a gravity flow winery allows grapes to be gently destemmed without pumping
- 20% whole cluster fermentation
- Native yeast fermentation
- Aged for 13 months in French Burgundian oak (30% new)
- No fining or filtering
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2023
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Central Otago
Appellation:
Central Otago
Variety:
Pinot Noir
Color:
Red
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | NZ-FRW-21-23 | 6/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
James Suckling
Score
97
Date
2024-11-15
"Sophisticated and pure aromas of wild raspberries, fresh strawberries, potpourri and blood oranges. The palate is medium-bodied with seamless tannins and fine acidity, giving notes of dark cherries, wet bark and graphite. Tightly wound and focused. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
Decanter
Score
95
Date
2025-12-15
"Dark cocoa, black cherry, blueberries, thyme and graphite notes are enticing and savoury. Quite velvety and rounded mid-palate texture with grippy but very fine tannins and a good acid spine too. The oak is just a little prominent at present and needs a bit more time to settle into its skin, but there is good depth and intricacy here that bodes well for the future. The 2023 vintage gave wines of real character and freshness. Always an interesting contrast to its neighbouring Block 5, the complex, deeper soils of Block 3 provide power and complexity."
Vinous
Score
94
Date
2025-07-29
"The 2023 Pinot Noir Block 3 is not quite as fruity as the rest of the range, being a little more floral and restrained. It is taut and focused with excellent precision and tension. Festive spiced cake, blackberry and wild raspberry unfurl, finish with long, long length."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
James Suckling
Score
97
Date
2023-11-03
"Complex and aromatic with flowers, strawberries, salt and perfume. Medium-bodied with very fine velvety tannins that give great length and presence. Very long and intense. Old vines planted in 1992. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Impressive to drink now but will age so beautifully. Screw cap."
Vinous
Score
96
Date
2024-05-14
"The 2022 Pinot Noir Block 3 is unadulterated and broods sexiness. It seduces you with its rich, expansive mouthfeel, untamed flavors and succulent texture, leading to a long finish. It is a wine that feels very hands-off, allowing the fruit to shine and those abundant tannins to ooze and coat the entire mouth with melted chocolate. I kept coming back to this wine over three days, and it never failed to impress. One for the shopping list."
Vinous
Score
95
Date
2022-04-12
Wine Advocate
Score
95
Date
2025-06-05
"The 2020 Block 3 Pinot Noir shows a succulent mid-palate of fruit: raspberry seed and cranberry, cherry and brine. This is a seductive wine of floral perfume and woodsy spice, one that is still so primary it is difficult to see where it will go in the future. As it is evolving so slowly, one imagines that its future is very bright"and very long. This is totally lovely. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
Wine Advocate
Score
94+
Date
2025-06-05
"The 2022 Block 3 Pinot Noir leads with licorice and exotic spice, clear red fruit and lashings of plump, mouth-filling tannins. This is a wine of ease, of effortless flow of tannin and acid as one. It's a beauty. Today, it's showing more of its exotic spice than its red fruit. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
Jancis Robinson
Score
17+
Date
2024-04-09
"Light ruby. Very delicate and charming. The fruit is extra-pure (red cherries, redcurrant) and has a lively floral character. Silky tannins, vibrant acidity and a gentle smokiness in the very long finish make this wine just delightful. (FG)"