2023 Anim Abel Pinot Noir 6pk

6 x 2023 Anim Abel Pinot Noir

The story goes that an Auckland customs officer – Malcolm Abel – confiscated a cutting of Pinot Noir from an enthusiastic tourist returning home from France to NZ in the 1970s. The cutting allegedly came from the fabled vineyards of Domaine de la Romanée Conti, wrapped inside a gumboot. Malcolm happened to be a hobbyist winegrower and once the mother cutting was propagated, he planted out a small vineyard.

Clive Paton (Ata Rangi) had recently purchased land in Martinborough and upon hearing of the successes of this small vineyard near Auckland, purchased several thousand cuttings to begin his first plantings. This essentially became the source block for all future plantings of the Abel clone, which has since made its way over the ditch and into Tasmania.

Singular clones are usually not our thing, but we do like stories and we think this is a pretty good one. Wild spontaneous fermentation, 30% whole bunch, aged in French oak for 18 months. Production: 782 bottles.

The source for this wine is the extended Block 7 at Clarence House (right next to our Pinot Blanc rows), planted out with half a hectare of Abel four years ago on a very shallow shelf of basalt. This constitutes the first crop and is very true to type of the clone in our experience; nice yields (contributed in part by a propensity to throw wings), excellent retention of acidity, intense fruit profile, wonderful spices and gorgeous florals.

Includes delivery Australia wide