Sacred Hill HALO Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 is a wine for anybody looking for a rich, seductive example of New Zealand’s favourite red varietal.
Sacred Hill Managing Director David Mason says the HALO Pinot Noir 2014 illustrates exactly what HALO wines are about – making premium, hand crafted wines accessible for everyday enjoyment. “Sacred Hill HALO Pinot Noir has a distinctly New Zealand style with a subtle touch of old world winemaking resulting in a wine with HALO’s trademark texture and depth.”
“It is an ideal wine for sharing with family and friends now that the summer sun has set and been replaced by the rich colours of autumn.”
Mason says the 2014 HALO Pinot Noir, made from fruit hand-picked on the slopes of the Omaka Valley, reflects the value Sacred Hill places on authenticity. This is a genuine reflection of the growing site that also demonstrates Marlborough’s increasing ability to produce complex, alluring Pinot Noir. “Marlborough Pinot Noirs, such as this HALO example, don’t come with the fanfare associated with some other regions but what’s in the bottle consistently over delivers.”
Sacred Hill Senior Winemaker Tony Bish says the HALO Pinot Noir reflects the 2014 Marlborough vintage conditions and the benefits of hand picking small parcels of grapes early, based on flavour and excellent acid balance. Marlborough’s spring and summer were warm and dry, laying the foundation for a quality harvest. Sacred Hill completed more than 90% of its picking before the autumn rains came, which was well up on the regional average.
“Following meticulous wine making with a percentage of whole bunch pressing, the wine was matured in French oak for 12 months prior to release. It is deliciously drinkable now but will benefit from a further 2 – 3 years’ cellaring,” Bish says.
Sacred Hill HALO Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 – Dark ruby red in colour, the complex aromas of brambly ripe dark fruits with baking spice nuances are an inviting entry into this classic Pinot Noir. The palate is rich and seductive with roasted peach stone, black cherry, vanilla and hints of cedar spiced oak. A rich, warm finish to round it off.
Food match: Crispy skin roast duck cooked with fresh figs, onions and apples and served with homemade fried potatoes.
Sacred Hill HALO Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 is available from fine wine stores throughout New Zealand and has a recommended retail price of $27.99.
About Sacred Hill
Sacred Hill founders, David and Mark Mason, with friend and winemaker Tony Bish, began with a simple philosophy of making more wine than they could drink, and sharing the rest. This winemaking generosity continues – today Sacred Hill is a highly respected New Zealand winery with a range of quality, multi-awarded wines from vineyards in Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough. With the Mason family still at the helm, Sacred Hill has four tiers of wines Special Selection, HALO, Reserve and Orange Label. For further information visit www.sacredhill.com.
