2018 Hermit Ram Pinot Noir

Region: North Canterbury < New Zealand

Grape: Pinot Noir

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified organic farming (BioGro); 75% whole cluster on clay with bands of limestone and iron oxide; bottled unfined/unfiltered, with 200ppm So2 added at bottling only; 12.5% ABV

Winemaker: Theo Coles

Another wine from Theo Coles, the Hermit Ram - you know him for the benchmark skin-fermented Sauv Blanc!

But he's no one-trick pony.  People are buzzing about Theo's wines, calling them the most exciting thing to come out of New Zealand since Lord of the Rings.  Because he makes super raw, authentic expressions of New Zealand's unique terroir that he calls "pre-technology wines". Theo doesn't own vineyards, but sources fruit from tiny vineyards throughout the Canterbury region of New Zealand and makes wines with basically no intervention, just loads of soul.

This is his Pinot Noir from two small vineyards, one on the Omihi slopes and the other on the valley floor.  It is hugely aromatic, bursting with violets, roses and sour cherries. The whole bunch palate gives length and texture to the wine that stands up to the masses of aromatics. There are delightful red fruit, earthy, herbal and saline notes, with a general rustic, stripped back vibe. But this wine is all about that thirst quenching acidity that crunches and crackles, and keeps you coming back for more.  Now this is a NZ Pinot we want to drink - all the time!