2024 Paper Road - Pinot Noir Wairarapa (750ml)

The Borthwick family worked the land for more than a century before Paddy Borthwick turned that legacy toward wine in 1996, rooting the vineyard in Gladstone, in the Wairarapa. Paper Road takes its name from a road that appeared only on a survey map and would have run straight through the vineyard. It was never built, so Paddy named a Pinot Noir after it.

The vines grow on ancient alluvial riverbed soils in a cool climate. The 2024 season began with an early budburst and settled into a long, dry summer, which allowed the fruit to be picked fully ripe and in excellent condition, earlier than usual. The winemaking philosophy is hands-off. Earlier vintages of this wine were fermented with natural yeasts and hand plunged, given extended time on the skins, and aged in a mix of new and old French oak.

Pure and medium bodied, the wine pairs bright, juicy red florals and fruit with a spicy, savory depth. Tart and sweet cherry mingle with dark plum, cedar spice, and garden herbs. Fine, velvety tannins support a silky finish with a touch of chocolate and a zesty, spicy aftertaste that lingers. Fragrant, polished, and approachable, it shows the gentler side of Wairarapa Pinot Noir.