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2013 vintage awarded the 'World's Best Pinot Noir' at the 2016 International Wine & Spirits Competition in the UK. From our organic, high density Ridge Block vineyard in the Southern Valleys, Marlborough.
The journey of each Single Vineyard wine starts in a Marlborough vineyard selected for its unique terroir and climate. They are then nurtured with meticulous hands-on viticulture to ensure fruit produces highly concentrated flavour. Our winemaking expertise then allows these wines to speak for themselves, their purity becoming a showcase of the land.
Our Ridge Block vineyard was originally planted in Sauvignon Blanc, the vineyard was redeveloped after testing by a renowned French soil scientist. This showed the site was closer in profile to the Côtes du Rhône and the foothills of the French Alps, and the focus should be on Pinot Noir and Syrah. The next stage was to move from conventional plant spacing to a high density format. This high density planting equates to one vine producing one bottle of Ridge Block Pinot Noir. Ridge Block is also certified organic with BioGro New Zealand.
Single Vineyard Ridge Block Pinot Noir 2013 was awarded the Champion Pinot Noir Trophy at the 2016 International Wine & Spirits Competition in the UK, beating stiff competition from around the world. Not bad for a Pinot Noir from a young vineyard!
A selection of wines which speak of the special place they come from, crafted from single vineyards with unique terroir and climate. Our winemakers ensure the purity of the wine becomes a showcase of the land.
Southern Valleys - Ridge Block Vineyard
Handpicked fruit is kept in separate parcels throughout its time in the winery.
It is cold soaked for up to seven days. After basket pressing the juice is left for a wild fermentation.
Following this it is fermented in a combination of French oak 225L barriques and 300L Hogsheads, of which up to 25% are new oak.
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Proudly certified by BioGro New Zealand, Ridge Block Vineyard holds a special place in Giesen’s premium organics programme, growing grapes that tell the story of their region. High-density planting and careful vineyard management have resulted in fruit with incredible flavour intensity, structure and complexity of a level that can sometimes take years to achieve. Read more
Duncan has always loved science and the outdoors. Winemaking in Marlborough allows him to enjoy his two passions every day. Read more
Giesen Wines has been awarded the Champion Pinot Noir Trophy at the highly respected 2016 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC), in the UK. Together with the Pinot Noir Trophy, the Giesen Single Vineyard Ridge Block Marlborough Pinot Noir...
Read more"2016 Giesen Single Vineyard Ridge Block Pinot Noir (A$50/NZ$60) won universal support, with Caillard speaking up. “Perfumed strawberry, apricot aromas, hints of marzipan and cola with vanilla notes. Generous and minerally with supple cherry, stone fruit flavours. Integrated vanilla, toasty oak, fine supple sweet tannins and fresh long acidity. Finishes sappy, al-dente firm. Some cola notes at the finish. Ready to drink.” I thought the freshness, suppleness and rich, sweet fruits were beautiful. Fine tannins complete the package.
2016 Vintage; Reviewed May 2021."
Gourmet Traveller Wine - Top NZ Pinot Noirs
"2015 Vintage: It is sweetly fragrant on the nose displaying dark berry, violet, warm spice and almond characters with subtle spicy/gamey notes. The palate is firmly structured and impressively expressed, showing silky texture and multi-layered mouthfeel, superbly supported by fine, chalky tannins. At its best: 2018 to 2025. 96pts"
Sam Kim - Wine Orbit
"2014 Vintage: It is brightly expressed on the nose showing dark berry, violet and toasted almond characters with delightfully attractive charcuterie and warm spice aromas. The palate is concentrated and silky, brilliantly structured by fine/firm tannins. The wine is sturdy and persistent and finishes expansive and delectable. At its best: now to 2022. 95pts"
Sam Kim - Wine Orbit
"2014 Vintage: The 2013 was highly awarded but it's hard to imagine it being any better than this one. Beautiful dark black fruits, with a mix of spice and licorice. The chalky tannins thread through the succulent delicious fruit. If you haven't tasted Marlborough pinot, this single vineyard wine is a game changer. Best drinking now to 2026."
Ray Jordan - Australian Wine Writer
"2013 Vintage: Full-coloured, savoury and complex style with concentrated, ripe flavours, showing good complexity. Dense, dark and ‘brooding’. Certified organic. "
Winestate
"2013 Vintage: Complex yet integrating bouquet with scents of old rose mixed with ripe vineyard fruit, red berry and red currant then white smoke laced oak. On the palate - plenty of attack from ripe red berry fruits, layers of integration with mineral and red floral moments, fine yet abundant tannins and plenty of acidity; cinnamon and clove baking spice notes, enough tension and poise to consider this a serious wine. Finding balance sometime in 2017. Best drinking 2018 through 2026."
Cameron Douglas - NZ Master Sommelier
"Ranked #3 of 139 2013 Pinot Noirs from Marlborough"
The Real Review
"Ranked #2 of 126 2012 Pinot Noirs from Marlborough"
The Real Review
