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
Established in 1973 by Frank Yukich under Montana Wines, Brancott Estate occupies hallowed ground as the pioneer of commercial viticulture in Marlborough. Against the prevailing mid-century consensus that the South Island was overly cold for grape production, Yukich planted the first vines in the Brancott Valley, followed in 1975 by Sauvignon Blanc cuttings that catalyzed New Zealand's modern wine phenomenon upon their inaugural 1979 release. Set across alluvial gravel, silt loams, and stony terrace soils cooled by maritime Pacific breezes, the estate harnesses diurnal temperature fluctuations that preserve vibrant natural acidity and amplify aromatics. Viticulture adheres strictly to Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand guidelines, supplemented by certified organic blocks. Vinification centers on precision temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation alongside selected barrel fermentation for elevated cuvées. Benchmark expressions include the varietally expressive Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, the oak-textured Letter Series 'B' and 'R' bottlings, and the single-block icon Chosen Rows.
🍇 Grapes
100% Pinot Noir