Walnut Block is the vision of two brothers, and the name comes from the impressive 100 + year old walnut tree (the oldest in Marlborough) which stands in the middle of their Sauvignon Blanc vines.

Lovingly tended, high-density Pinot Noir vines yield high quality, hand-picked grapes originating from two terroirs, both Rapaura and the hillside slopes of Wairau in Marlborough. Fermented on wild yeasts and aged for 12 months in French barriques, this almost Burgundian style Pinot Noir?offers an aromatic panoply of dark fruits (think damson plum and morello cherry) in tandem with beguiling floral tones. A sheen of classy oak spice adds further refinement. Deep, plush and sensuous this is a fine example of Marlborough Pinot Noir. Sufficient freshness on the finale ensures?that the whole ensemble is beautifully balanced.

16.5/20 – JancisRobinson.com, ‘Mightily impressive red fruit intensity ? very Kiwi. Cherry candy and light clove spicing on the palate, with a very soft tannic feel.‘ Richard Hemming MW, October 2017 (2015 vintage)