Urlar New Zealand Pinot Noir 2022

Urlar Pinot Noir 2022 presents a garnet red color, unfiltered and vivid. On the nose, you’ll find bright red fruit — cherry, raspberry — mellowed by darker berry notes, plus herbal spice and subtle licorice. Floral hints and savory earth also emerge. The palate delivers elegance: fine, long tannins and lively acidity frame concentrated fruit, with earthy and herbal undertones that reflect its origin. There’s texture and length — not jammy, but generous; savory, fresh, dry finish. Alcohol is 13% by volume; residual sugar is nil. Reviewers describe it as “fragrant, delicate, complex … lighter-weighted … expressive flavors of cherry and baking spices, bark and English tea,” and say it’s ready to drink 2024 through 2030.

This Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with dishes that echo its essence of red fruit, earth, and spice. Try duck confit with a cherry reduction or wild mushroom risotto to bring out its savory and earthy dimension. Grilled salmon or tuna with herb crusts, roasted pork loin with thyme and garlic, or even game birds like quail will work well. Soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert offer richness that complements its fruit without overwhelming the subtle tannins. Vegetarian options like beet salad, herbed lentils, or squash gnocchi give it brightness. Serve around 14-16 °C to preserve its aromatics and finesse.

Urlar (pronounced “er-lar”, meaning “of the Earth”) is a vineyard estate in the Gladstone sub-region of Wairarapa, New Zealand. Their property is at 140 Dakins Road, East Taratahi. The soils are ancient alluvial free-draining soils, which help with drainage and force vine roots to dig, bringing complexity. Urlar has been certified organic (BioGro) since 2010, and also uses biodynamic practices; the team emphasizes minimal intervention (including the use of indigenous yeasts, hand-harvested parcels, gentle pressing, etc.).

The 2022 vintage for Pinot Noir in Gladstone saw grapes picked at ~22-24 °Brix, hand-harvested, destemmed and fermented in tanks with indigenous yeast. Around 20% of the wine is matured in new French oak barriques; natural malolactic fermentation occurs in barrel. The wine spends time on lees before being racked and bottled. Together, climate, soil, and these winemaking choices aim for a Pinot Noir that is expressive of Gladstone: clean, terroir-driven, with a balance of fruit intensity and savory, earthy elements.