Wine: Kim Crawford Pinot Noir

Country: New Zealand

Brand/Producer: Kim Crawford

Grape Varietal: Pinot Noir

ABV: 12.7%

Type: Red

Code: 2088

Tasting Note

First wafts of lively red berry fruits on the nose mix with dark cherry notes, savoury undertones and spicy oak. Rewarding ripe blackberry and cherry flavours fill the palate leading on to hints of subtle baking spice from oak ageing, lingering on in the finish.

Producer

Kim Crawford was launched in 1996 in a small home in Auckland, New Zealand. With incredible speed, Kim Crawford’s powerful, aromatic wines began winning awards and gained a devoted, even fanatical, following.

Only two years after launch, Kim Crawford Wines began exporting to the United States. Within four years, the company moved into a state-of-the-art winery in Marlborough and began looking at vineyards to purchase and cultivate.

Just six years after these humble beginnings, Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc made the 2003 Wine Spectator's Top 100 List to roaring acclaim

Winemaking

The vineyards of Kim Crawford are located in outstanding, predominantly coastal sites. The grapes benefit from long days, clean sea breezes and crisp nights. In combination with New Zealand’s long and dry autumn season, the grapes ripen slowly, which allows them to build flavour intensity as well as develop a sophisticated acidity. Harvesting takes place at night to ensure the grapes reach the winery while still cool and at optimum levels of freshness. Most of the grapes are from Marlborough with about a third from Central Otaga. A portion of wine spent about 6 months in oak, just enough to smooth out any tannins in the finish.

Fun Fact

The Crawford couple founded their wine business in 1996 with a business model which was innovative at the time – virtual winemaking. They bought grapes from farmers (after assessing their viticulture techniques) and hired vinification space from wineries. They also spent a lot of time marketing their wines in North America. Over the years wineries have been built and vineyards purchased but they were considered ahead of their time in the winemaking world when they started out. And here’s another piece of trivia… customers often assume that Mrs Crawford is Kim, well she’s Erica and Mr Crawford is Kim.

Food pairing

Ideal for an evening of sipping and savouring. Roast meat dishes with aromatic marinades are good partners as well as charcoal grilled meats, fish and vegetables

Awards & Accolades

Vivino 3.6

92 points Falstaff

“Crunchy red cherry on the nose comes with a hint of autumnal heather and windy field. The palate has an exquisitely light touch that lets the rounded, ripe fruit speak loudest. There is fine freshness at the core and a lovely shimmer of pepper spice. A most charming, light Pinot Noir.”