Overview
Devotus Reserve Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019 is a limited-production Martinborough Pinot Noir drawn from the estate's oldest vines. Exceptionally low yields of just 0.7 tonnes per acre produced concentrated fruit, while wild fermentation, 25% whole bunches and 11 months in French oak shape a wine that balances intensity with delicacy and savoury complexity. Only 1,361 bottles were produced.
Vintage
The 2018/2019 growing season in Martinborough brought very hot and dry conditions throughout summer. Earlier frost in October and cold, wet conditions during flowering and fruit set significantly reduced yields. The resulting crop was unusually small at just 0.7 tonnes per acre, contributing to the concentration of the 2019 Reserve.
Vineyard & Viticulture
The Reserve is sourced from Devotus' oldest vines, including 33-year-old Pommard clone vines and 28-year-old Dijon clone vines. The vineyard is non-irrigated and farmed using organic and sustainable methods. Undervine weeds are managed through mechanical cultivation, while yellow mustard, red clover and rye corn are grown and returned to the soil to provide organic vine nutrition.
Winemaking
The fruit was hand harvested on 13 March 2019 and carefully sorted, with 25% whole bunches included in fermentation. A three-day cold maceration at 8°C preceded fermentation with wild vineyard yeasts, reaching a peak temperature of 28°C. Total skin contact was 15 days. The wine was matured for 11 months in French oak barrels, including 20% new oak, and bottled without fining or filtration.
Producer Tasting Notes
Devotus: “Visually dark ruby-red colour. The nose has interwoven aromas of dark-red berry fruits and blackcurrant. Medium-full bodied, the palate has a concentrated core of bright red fruits, balanced with savoury whole bunch stems.”
Devotus: “Stylistically a delicate yet serious Pinot Noir whose sensory boundaries will expand with time.”
Producer
Devotus is a family-owned and operated Pinot Noir specialist on the Martinborough Terrace in New Zealand. Its three-hectare single vineyard is devoted exclusively to Pinot Noir, with low cropping, organic soil fertility and traditional, sustainable farming methods central to its vineyard-focused approach.
Specifications
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Vintage: 2019
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Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
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Region: Martinborough, New Zealand
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Alcohol: 12.5%
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Total Acidity: 5.1 g/L
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pH: 3.67
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Residual Sugar: <1 g/L
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Vine Age: 28–33 years
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Clones: Pommard and Dijon
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Yield: 0.7 tonnes per acre
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Harvest: Hand harvested 13 March 2019
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Whole Bunch: 25%
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Fermentation: Wild vineyard yeasts
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Skin Contact: 15 days
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Maturation: 11 months in French oak barrels
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Oak: 20% new French oak
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Production: 1,361 bottles
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Fining: None
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Filtration: None
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Closure: 49mm Portuguese Flor-grade natural cork
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Drinking Window: 2021–2031
