Lawson’s Dry Hills Reserve Pinot Noir, 2020

The original company vineyard was planted in 1982 by Ross and Barbara Lawson, who launched the Lawson’s Dry Hills label some ten years later, in 1992. Today, the company’s wines include multiple varieties and their famous Gewürztraminer, all made from fruit grown in the Wairau, Waihopai, Omaka and Awatere Valleys. These different regions and carefully selected vineyard sites provide varying characteristics derived from the different soils and microclimates, giving many options when it comes to blending to that much-anticipated Lawson’s style.

Lawson’s Dry Hills Wines are leaders of sustainability in their industry. They are currently the only New Zealand wine producer to hold both Environmental Management and carbon zero accreditations. They also won a commendation at the Sustainable Business Awards in the Climate Action Leader category and the Excellence in Sustainability Award at the New Zealand International Business Awards.

Grape

100% Pinot Noir

Vineyard & Vinification Note

Vineyard and viticulture: This wine is sourced from our two Waihopai Valley vineyards and the Tilly’s Block on Paynters Road. These vineyards are all within the Southern valleys sub-region where clay soils and low rain fall produce excellent Pinot. The final blend was comprised of clone 5, 667, 115 and 777. The vines are cropped at low levels which requires careful pruning, canopy management and fruit-thinning. The vines are carefully nurtured to ensure perfect ripeness together with concentrated flavours that echo the varietal and the place it was grown.

Winemaking: The fruit was harvested into open-top fermenters for a three-tosix-day cold maceration before the warm, alcoholic fermentation. The cap of skins that form on top was punched down by hand, three times a day, to encourage maximum flavour and colour. The wine was then left on skins for between seven and 14-days post ferment, before pressing to a mixture of French oak barriques (224 litres) and puncheons (500 litres) of which 25% were new. After ten months maturation, the best clones and barrels were selected for this wine.

Cellaring: Youthful and juicy on release (September 2022) this lovely wine will continue to evolve in the bottle and mellow with time. Enjoy for five or more years, at least.

Tasting Note