2020 PRESTIGE COLLECTION

Wednesday, 8 June  |  Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyard, Martinborough

THE VINTAGE OF 2019 WAS OF SUCH HIGH QUALITY THAT IT LED MANY TO SAY THAT IT WAS THE BEST VINTAGE IN LIVING MEMORY. PERHAPS THAT WAS THE CASE UNTIL 2020 CAME ALONG.

The winter of 2019 broke quickly, and immediately we were presented with above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall during spring in both Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa. Flowering conditions were near perfect, and the resulting berry number and bunch weights were in the average to above-average range across the board.

The ripening period in both regions was warm and remarkably consistent. The hills browned off without any significant breaks in the warm conditions, and disease pressure was negligible. Phenolic ripeness was achieved early and of particular note was how ripe the stems were in Pinot Noir in Martinborough and Syrah in the Gimblett Gravels. This would be critical in allowing more stem inclusion later at fermentation time.

It would be remiss not to mention the pandemic erupting right at the picking stage. However, we could not have wished for a more perfect season to negate this complexity. Chardonnay was taken into the winery early, capturing the natural acidity.

The Pinot Noir harvest began a week earlier than average with ideal sugar numbers, and the Bordeaux varietals and Syrah from the Gimblett Gravels also commenced a week ahead of average. From the outset, the concentration of flavour in all varieties was apparent. Intense colour, tannin quality, and lift of aromatics are also a highlight. But perhaps the greatest pleasure is seeing both the immediate expressiveness of the wines but also the longevity and narrative they will tell as they age.

A vintage that, side-by-side with 2019, will be considered the greatest back-to-back in our winery’s history. Truly one to celebrate.

– Julian Grounds, Chief Winemaker