product details
key information
- Region: Nelson
- Sub-Region: n/a
- Style: red
- Vintage: 2004
- Taste guide: B
- Grape variety: Pinot Noir
- Alcohol Content (%): 14.5
- Organic/Vegan/Vegetarian:
In 1978 the New Zealand fine wine industry was almost non existent. The owners of Neudorf, Tim and Judy Finn were fresh from the “back to the land” movement of the late sixties. They wanted to make beautiful wine. and thought that Tim’s masters in Animal Behaviour along with Judy's unimpressive journalism career would be beneficial. Wrong. However they did have youth, self belief, and friends. At one stage they had four mortgages and three jobs each. The old house at Neudorf had electricity in two rooms, an outside long drop, an inefficient wood stove and no hot water.
Because there was so little known about basic viticulture in New Zealand, they planted many varieties to see which ones were best suited to the soils of the vineyard Merlot came and went as did Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc and the dreaded Muller Thurgau.
With the help of many people - neighbours, family, friends and some fantastic staff, they survived. Each left a mark and many have gone onto work in bigger wineries or plant their own vineyard. Today 31 years later and they never feel that it is all sorted.
Nonetheless, Neudorf is one of the world's most respected wineries, making arguably the finest red and white wines in New Zealand; expressions that have garnered much international praise.
Youthful, purple hue in the glass with a complex nose of cracked pepper, dark summer berries, black cherry and chocolate, combined with visceral, earthy characters, dried wild herbs and excellent but unobtrusive supporting oak. Initial savoury and black fruit entry carries through a mouth filling, richly structured palate, the texture of soft leather. An underlying mineral acidity supports this richness, adding a certain juiciness and considerable length. Overall a wine of complexity and finesse. Serve with game and red meat, and cheeses.