Description
"Five and a half hectares of mature Pinot Noir was planted here between 1999 and 2004, with a good selection of premium clones: UDC5, 114, 115, 667 and 777. This site is located on an elevated hillside on the eastern Omaka Valley and was purchased by Nautilus Estate in 2007 as a premium component for Nautilus Pinot Noir. Viticulturist Mike Collins says, "With our existing company vineyards on the Wairau Valley floor and in the Awatere already producing trophy-winning Pinot Noir, the one thing we lacked was a premium Southern Valleys hillside site. The Clay Hills Vineyard fits the bill perfectly and adds great mid-palate structure and texture to Nautilus Pinot Noir. This wine has aromas of cassis, ripe dark cherries, toasted spices and savoury notes. The mid-palate shows fruit sweetness, while generous but fine-grained tannins contribute to a lingering elegant finish." - Winemaker Notes
"Fragrant wine with floral/red rose, violet, cherry, plum and spice/anise flavours. Supple, elegant wine with good varietal identity. Charming red that is deliciously drinkable now. Nicely layered flavours. It has pinosity." - 95 Points, Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review
