Chosen Rows Pinot Noir
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5 to 12 years from the vintage release, as it develops greater tertiary complexity and silkier tannins.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-roasted duck breast, herb-crusted rack of lamb, or wild mushroom risotto.
✨ Technical Specifications
Crafted by Brancott Estate, the pioneering winery that first planted commercial vineyards in Marlborough in 1973, the 'Chosen Rows' Pinot Noir represents the absolute pinnacle of their red winemaking. This ultra-premium cuvée is born from a meticulous hand-selection of the finest, low-yielding vine rows situated on the clay-rich hillside slopes of the Southern Valleys. Unlike the gravelly soils that define Marlborough's Sauvignon Blanc, these clay-loam terroirs provide the structure, depth, and tension necessary for world-class Pinot Noir. The grapes undergo traditional wild fermentation in small open-top fermenters, followed by extended maturation in fine-grained French oak barriques. The resulting wine is a sophisticated, deeply aromatic expression, weaving together dark cherry, savory forest floor, and delicate spice, standing as a testament to Marlborough's capability to produce Pinot Noir of profound elegance and complexity.
🍾 About the Producer
Originally established as Montana Wines in 1934 by Ivan Yukich and later renamed after its iconic home vineyard, Brancott Estate holds a legendary place in winemaking history as the pioneer that first planted Marlborough's Brancott Valley in 1973. This daring venture revolutionized New Zealand viticulture, leading to the 1979 release of the country's first Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and establishing a global benchmark for the variety. Now a cornerstone of Pernod Ricard Winemakers, the estate operates across premier terroirs spanning Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, and Gisborne with a philosophy rooted in innovation, precise canopy management, and sustainable viticulture. Brancott Estate is celebrated worldwide for its vibrant, aromatically intense Sauvignon Blancs alongside expressive, cool-climate Pinot Noir and finely structured Chardonnays, exemplified by premium tiers such as the Letter Series and the artisanal Chosen Rows.
🍇 Grape Varieties
100% Pinot Noir