2014 Gum Emperor Single Vineyard Pinot Noir

The fruit from our Gum Emperor vineyard consistently produces a Pinot Noir that is rich and intensely flavoured, a true expression of the vineyard’s heavy clay soils. Dark, brooding aromatics are lifted by higher notes of violets, blackcurrants and spice. Flavours of black plums, liquorice and earthy forest floor tones combine to form a truly complex wine.

With careful cellaring, this wine will continue to develop further opulent layers of savoury and spice notes, complemented by velvet, mouth-filling tannins.

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes

Watch the video below to learn more about the Gum Emperor Single Vineyard Pinot Noir from our head winemaker Matt.

In this video, you’ll learn about:

• The Gum Emperor Vineyard in the Waihopai Valley and its very heavy clay soils with a thin stony loam layer

• Why this vineyard naturally produces dense, powerful Pinot Noir expressions

• The intention behind making this as a bold, boundary-pushing single vineyard wine under the black label reserve range

• Traditional winemaking techniques including wild fermentation, extended time on skins, and long barrel ageing

• How structure, weight and flavour concentration define the character of this wine

• Its significant ageing potential and suitability for long-term cellaring

What Shapes the Style

The Gum Emperor Pinot Noir is a single-vineyard expression sourced from the Waihopai Valley in southern Marlborough. The vineyard is defined by heavy clay soils with a shallow layer of stony loam, a combination that naturally produces wines with depth, weight and structure.

This wine is made using traditional techniques, including hand harvesting, wild fermentation and extended skin contact, followed by prolonged ageing in French oak. These decisions allow flavour concentration, texture and savoury complexity to build while maintaining balance across the palate.

Enjoyment & Occasion

This is a powerful, structured Pinot Noir suited to slow, considered drinking. The concentration and tannin profile make it well suited to cellaring, where it will continue to develop savoury and spice-driven complexity over time.

While expressive now, this wine is particularly well suited to being laid down, where it will continue to build savoury complexity, spice and textural richness over time.