An incredibly elegant pinot noir with a delicate perfume. Notes of rose petal, plum, black cherry and violets are encased by firm by fine tannins with savoury notes. Yoshiaki and Kyoko Sato launched their own label from the 2009 vintage after Yoshiaki worked for Felton Road, one of the great names of New Zealand wine. They are both committed to sustainability and work their small plot in Central Otago using biodynamic practices. This pinot noir spent 20 months in French oak and is bottled without fining or filtration.
Just stunning. In two weeks up and down New Zealand visiting their very best wineries, this was one of the wines that has stayed with me (and I’ll confess to putting some away in the cellar, although I am having great difficulty in keeping my hands off it). As close to wine of the trip as it could be.
‘Sur les Nuages’ means ‘above the clouds’ and this wine is certainly heavenly. Taut, precise, focused, and ever so balanced. Cherry pit notes, cassis, bergamot and floral notes. The balance really is knife-edge, the wine fresh and energetic, the flavors dance on the palate and the length is amazing. An exercise in restrained exuberance. Like drinking silk and lace.
As someone said, if this came out of a bottle labeled Musigny, it would have surprised no one. Ten to twenty years.