Attorney Pinot Noir

The first impression of Attorney is stern, this is a wine that wants to be noticed, and should be taken seriously, however as it opens up you should find ample black cherry fruit, bold tannins and subtle graphite minerality from the oak supporting the wine and adding freshness.

This broody, dense Pinot Noir has heady aromas of coffee beans, dried herbs, and freshly picked black cherries. On the palate, the smooth rounded cocoa
tannins are balanced by the youthful acidity and subtle hints of toasty oak.

Download full tasting notes: 2019

Our Attorney Vineyard is one of Marlborough’s premier Pinot Noir sites which, in the 2019 growing season, presented us with an extraordinary parcel of fruit. A powerful statement of Marlborough Pinot Noir, the vine maturity, natural balance and biodiversity of our Attorney Vineyard produces single vineyard Pinot Noir with beguiling elegance and complexity.

Planted in 2002, Attorney Vineyard is situated in the Southern Valleys subregion of Marlborough on a north facing block on the dry eastern foothills of the Wairau Valley. This sub-region receives minimal rainfall in the growing season and its deep clay soils provide perfect conditions to apply organic farming principles.

Villa Maria began its organic program in 1999 and Attorney Vineyard was converted and fully BioGro certified as organic in 2012. The Pinot Noir fruit sourced from this vineyard has thick skins and small berries contributing to the dark colour and bold tannin structure.

The 2019 Marlborough vintage presented our winemakers with a truly exceptional parcel of organic Pinot Noir from our Attorney Vineyard and the promise of a very special wine.

Colder weather in spring led to a longer than usual flowering season, resulting in smaller bunches with tighter structure. Summer temperatures were unusually mild for Marlborough, regulated by cooler easterly breezes and light cloud cover. Intermittent autumn rains slowed ripening which meant our harvest plans had to be flexible whilst we waited for dry weather periods and flavours to develop.

A rigorous tasting and selection process was conducted to ensure only the very best barrels were included, showcasing the finest Pinot Noir from our Attorney Vineyard site.