93 pts Wine Advocate
Drink Date: 2026 - 2039
The 2024 Ray's Road Pinot Noir is from the Ray's Road vineyard in Hawke's Bay, and the wine leads with notes of poached strawberry, star anise, clove, dark chocolate and forest floor. The palate is lean and spicy, with attractively composed tannins and good length through the finish. The notes of hung deli meat and gentle pastrami add an extra layer of complexity. The vineyard has limestone through it, and it lends a sense of energy and composure to the wine. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

The Pinot Noir at Rays Road was planted by the previous owners in 2008 with a variety of superior clones. We are very excited by the Pinot Noir from this limestone terroir, and the future of this vineyard is certainly very bright.  After malolactic fermentation this wine was matured for 12 months in French Oak (10% new). The resulting wine is bright, fragrant with ripe cherry and other red-fruit aromas. There is also a distinctive dry leaf quality which contributes to the complexity. The palate is supple, deceptively concentrated with a distinctive limestone edge. It is approachable now, and we have no doubt that this complex wine will enhance further with bottle age.

Winery:

The Pinot Noir at Rays Road was planted by the previous owners in 2008 with a variety of superior clones. We are very excited by the Pinot Noir from this limestone terroir, and the future of this vineyard is certainly very bright. From this site we select a portion which makes up 80% of the Kumeu Village Pinot Noir. The best section of this vineyard we leave for the Rays Road bottling. 

After malolactic fermentation this wine was matured for 12 months in French Oak (10% new).  The resulting wine is bright, fragrant with ripe cherry and other red-fruit aromas. There is also a distinctive dry leaf quality which contributes to the complexity. The palate is supple, deceptively concentrated with a distinctive limestone edge. It is approachable now, and we have no doubt that this complex wine will enhance further with bottle age.