Russian Jack Pinot Noir 2009

Our 35Ha Burnt Spur vineyard south of the Martinborough township provides the lusciously ripe juicy grapes for this wine. Long ago this land, like much of the Wairarapa, was covered in scrub but thanks to the hard back-breaking work of men known in the day as swaggers this land was cleared and prepared for use.

One of the most famous swaggers of this region was a man known simply as Russian Jack. Although his origins are disputed (it is claimed he was actually Ukrainian not Russian!) he was a pioneer of this region wandering from town to town picking up jobs clearing such scrub. These rich and fertile lands that are now covered in picturesque vineyards produce world class wines thanks in part to the hard working nature of its people both past and present and this wine is named in the spirit of that tradition. The 2006 Russian Jack Pinot Noir has a vibrant deep purple color that leads to aromas full of ripe plum and raspberry with cinnamon spice characters. Full of sweet dark fruit flavors and soft tannins this wine has a hint of vanilla oak that adds balance and complexity to its freshness and vibrancy.