2019 Devotus Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 750ml

Overview

Devotus Single Vineyard Pinot Noir is a small-production expression of the Martinborough Terrace, grown and made with a focus on low intervention and vineyard character. The exceptionally low-yielding 2019 vintage produced just 1,507 bottles, delivering concentrated dark fruit, earthy complexity and savoury herbal detail from mature, non-irrigated Pinot Noir vines.

Vintage

The 2018/2019 growing season in Martinborough brought very hot and dry summer conditions, following October frost and cold, wet weather during flowering and fruit set. These conditions significantly reduced yields, with the vineyard cropping at just 0.8 tonnes per acre for the 2019 vintage.

Vineyard & Viticulture

The wine was grown from Devotus' middle-aged block, with vines ranging from 20 to 28 years old. Plantings comprise Dijon clones 667, 777, 114 and 115 alongside the Abel clone. The vines were non-irrigated and farmed using organic and sustainable methods. Undervine weeds were controlled mechanically, while cover crops including yellow mustard, red clover and rye corn were grown and returned to the soil to provide organic vine nutrition.

Winemaking

The fruit was hand harvested on 16 March 2019 and carefully sorted, with 30% whole bunches included in fermentation. A two-day cold maceration at 9°C was followed by fermentation with wild vineyard yeasts, reaching a peak temperature of 29°C. Total skin contact was 14 days. The wine was matured for 10 months in seasoned French oak barrels and bottled without fining or filtration.

Producer Tasting Notes

“Very deep ruby-red colour. On the nose this wine entices with aromas of concentrated dark fruit and earth. Medium-full bodied, the concentrated and dense palate shows ripe dark red fruits balanced with dark herbs.”

“Overall style is one of low intervention, a pure expression of the 2019 vintage, of the Martinborough Terrace, and particularly of the vineyard.”

Producer

Devotus is a family-owned and operated Pinot Noir specialist on the Martinborough Terrace in New Zealand. Its three-hectare single vineyard is devoted exclusively to Pinot Noir, with low yields, organic soil fertility and traditional, sustainable farming methods forming the basis of its vineyard-focused approach.

Specifications

• Vintage: 2019
• Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
• Region: Martinborough, New Zealand
• Alcohol: 13%
• Total Acidity: 4.9 g/L
• pH: 3.78
• Residual Sugar: <1 g/L
• Vine Age: 20–28 years
• Clones: Dijon 667, 777, 114 and 115; Abel
• Yield: 0.8 tonnes per acre
• Harvest: Hand harvested 16 March 2019
• Whole Bunch: 30%
• Fermentation: Wild vineyard yeasts
• Skin Contact: 14 days
• Maturation: 10 months in seasoned French oak barrels
• Production: 1,507 bottles
• Fining: None
• Filtration: None
• Drinking Window: To 2025