The Les Violettes is arguably the most seductive of the incredibly impressive Sato Pinot Noirs.
This wine is fermented as 100% whole berries, lending a brilliant brightness and levity to this cuvee.
It's a gorgeous expression of Central Otago, in a more red-fruited zone than many of the more muscular wines of the region. Supple, silky - this is a world-class Pinot Noir.
"This is a fantastic new wine with 100% whole berry fermentation with medium to full body, it is firm and layered, and has plenty of strawberry, cherry, cedar and creamy tannins. It evolves beautifully in the bottle. A triumph. Better after 2026 but already gorgeous."
100% whole bunches here, giving the wine quite a stemmy and spicy note. Two and a half weeks of carbonic maceration. Herbs, pepper, root vegetables and smoky earth notes. Lovers of the whole bunch style will love it. For me, a touch much though it is a thoroughly good Pinot. A well-structured style. Fifteen years.
This is the first vintage of this wine. A second tasting a few weeks later saw more of an undergrowth note with black jellybean notes, and an ever-so-slightly elevated score.