One of the absolute highlights of our Nelson trip was when we visited Neudorf Vineyard in Moutere Valley. We tried some absolutely stunning wines and got a lot of valuable information about the processes used in making these wines. Luckily we visited on a quieter day which meant that Reuben, the cellar door manager, had the time to talk us through all of the wines he was showing us. We got to try 9 wines, all of which were phenomenal.
The seating area was outside on a lovely patio overlooking the vines. For each variety of wine, we got to try two different versions, for example, different vintages or grapes grown in different blocks. This was really valuable as it showed us how different the same variety of wine can be even from the same vineyard. If you are looking to expand your tasting skills this is a great activity. It was also really fun to try and pick out the different flavours and aromas, and feels very satisfying when you pick out a note that is on the tasting sheet.
After we had done our tasting we each picked out a wine to have with our lunch. Cici and Didi got a glass of Riesling each and Saskia got a Pinot Noir. We also got a picnic basket which contained two cheeses, duck rillette, crackers, baguette and cornichons. This was a perfect snacking board for 4 people and paired very well with our choice of wines.
Our overall experience here was extremely positive and we had a fun and informative afternoon. And to make it all that much better an adorable puppy was moseying around the entire time. We would definitely recommend Neudorf as a lovely afternoon out.
Now onto the Pinot Noir Review !!
After our tasting, Saskia enjoyed the Toms Block Pinot Noir so much that she bought a bottle back for us to taste and review!
Price:
At NZ$40 ( £18.83, R441.93, US$23.52), this is more expensive than other wines we have reviewed. It is not an everyday wine but perfect for a special occasion. In our opinion, it is worth every penny. You can purchase it here.
Appearance:
This wine looks exactly how you would expect a pinot noir to look. Pale ruby in colour with a beautiful shine. It is a pretty young Pinot, the 2023 vintage so still has a very youthful look to it.
Nose:
This Pinot is on the slightly more complex side of red wine. There are definitely fruit notes that make themselves apparent immediately. but they are layered with secondary and tertiary characteristics that make the overall aroma more dimensional. The aromas we picked out were cherries and plums entwined with chalky and earthy characteristics that tie together beautifully. The aromas are pretty intense and you don’t have to work and struggle to pick anything out.
Palate:
What we noticed as we took our first sip was we were hit with a delightful array of earthy and fruity characteristics. Starting with spices, particularly mild black pepper and clove. This gradually moved onto a mix of fruity flavours; blackberry, raspberry and red plum. And was rounded off with notes of leather, mushrooms and charred wood. This wine takes you on a journey, picking up different flavours along the way and blending them together nicely at the end.
It is dry and acidic. With medium-low tannins that pair perfectly with the flavours, not overpowering your palate but binding together the different characteristics. The taste lingers in your mouth for a long time leaving you feeling satisfied.
Conclusion:
We cannot fault our experience at Neudorf. The wines were beautiful, the service was incredible and we learned a lot and got to put our taste buds to the test. The cellar door manager made us all feel very welcome and took the time to ensure we had a good experience and left with more knowledge than we had coming in. They have a wide range of varieties and styles of wine that would suit everybody’s taste.
The Toms block Pinot noir is a perfect example of a nice complex pinot. While it is a bit on the spenny side, it is a wonderful treat. In our opinion, it’s lovely on its own, but it would pair well with anything from charcuterie to a nice hearty lamb roast.
Go check out Neudorf and all they have to offer, you won’t regret it!
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