Overview
The 2020 Bell Hill Old Weka Pass Road Pinot Noir is a compelling introduction to one of New Zealandās most revered Pinot Noir producers. Sourced from younger vines and selected parcels within the Bell Hill estate in North Canterbury, this wine captures the estateās signature purity, mineral tension, and structural finesse. The 2020 vintage offers remarkable clarity and elegance, delivering both immediate charm and serious pedigree.
Vineyard and Winemaking
Bell Hillās limestone-rich vineyards in Waikari are among New Zealandās most distinctive terroirs for Pinot Noir, producing wines of precision and depth. Fruit for Old Weka Pass Road is hand-harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts, with a thoughtful proportion of whole bunches to build aromatic complexity and texture. Maturation in French oak barriques allows the wine to integrate seamlessly while preserving vineyard expression and natural energy.
Tasting Notes
Lifted aromas of red cherry, wild strawberry, and cranberry unfold with notes of rose petal, spice, and crushed stone. The palate is finely detailed and vibrant, offering pure red fruit, savoury complexity, and silky tannins. Bright natural acidity and mineral drive carry through to a long, poised finish with precision and elegance.
Style and Character
The 2020 Old Weka Pass Road reflects Bell Hillās unmistakable style ā restrained, transparent, and finely structured. It offers a beautifully accessible expression of the estateās philosophy while maintaining the depth and seriousness expected from this iconic producer.
Cellaring and Pairing
Enjoy now with decanting, or cellar for 8ā12 years as further savoury complexity develops. Ideal with roast duck, quail, mushroom dishes, or fine poultry preparations.
About Bell Hill
The wines of Bell Hill hold an almost mythical status amongst collectors of New Zealand's finest and rarest wines.
Marcel Giesen and Sherwyn Veldhuizen reject the term 'winemakers', they consider themselves 'winegrowers', seeing the creation of wine as a wholistic, all-encompassing mission. Their Bell Hill dream commenced in 1995 when they found their dream plot of land: a limestone slope in North Canterbury that would be perfect for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with incredible structure and longevity.
Today their wines are rarely seen outside of the finest restaurants. The role-call of critical acclaim for these wines is as long as your arm. No list of New Zealand's most important wines would be complete without these beautiful creations.
