2020 Devotus Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 750ml

Overview

Devotus Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020 is a low-intervention expression of the Martinborough Terrace, produced from mature, non-irrigated vines and an intentionally low-yielding vineyard. An ideal growing season and rigorous green harvesting delivered concentrated fruit, while wild fermentation, partial whole bunch inclusion and seasoned French oak preserved the character of the vineyard. Only 2,822 bottles were produced.

Vintage

The 2019/2020 growing season in Martinborough was ideal, with warm, dry and calm conditions during flowering and fruit set followed by a long, hot and dry summer. To restrict yields, a high proportion of bunches was removed during December and January, with up to 50% of the fruit dropped from younger vines. Harvest was completed immediately before more than 100mm of late-March rainfall, with the vineyard ultimately yielding just 1.7 tonnes per acre.

Vineyard & Viticulture

The wine was grown from Devotus' middle-aged block, with vines ranging from 21 to 29 years old. Plantings comprise Dijon clones 667, 777, 114 and 115 alongside the Abel clone. The vines were non-irrigated and farmed using organic and sustainable methods. Undervine weeds were managed through mechanical cultivation, while barley, crimson clover and blue lupin were grown as cover crops and returned to the soil for organic vine nutrition.

Winemaking

The fruit was hand harvested on 20 March 2020 and carefully sorted, with 15% whole bunches included in fermentation. A two-day cold maceration at 9°C preceded fermentation with wild vineyard yeasts, reaching a peak temperature of 30°C. Total skin contact was 13 days. The wine was matured for 10 months in seasoned French oak barrels and bottled without fining or filtration.

Producer Tasting Notes

Devotus: “Earthy forest floor, mushroom and brambles on the nose. Rich, opulent and generous on the palate.”

The producer describes the overall style as low intervention and a pure expression of the 2020 vintage, the Martinborough Terrace and the individual vineyard.

Producer

Devotus is a family-owned and operated Pinot Noir specialist on the Martinborough Terrace in New Zealand. Its three-hectare single vineyard is devoted exclusively to Pinot Noir, with low cropping, organic soil fertility and traditional, sustainable farming methods central to its vineyard-focused approach.

Specifications

• Vintage: 2020
• Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
• Region: Martinborough, New Zealand
• Alcohol: 13%
• Total Acidity: 5.1 g/L
• pH: 3.66
• Residual Sugar: <1 g/L
• Vine Age: 21–29 years
• Clones: Dijon 667, 777, 114 and 115; Abel
• Yield: 1.7 tonnes per acre
• Harvest: Hand harvested 20 March 2020
• Whole Bunch: 15%
• Fermentation: Wild vineyard yeasts
• Skin Contact: 13 days
• Maturation: 10 months in seasoned French oak barrels
• Production: 2,822 bottles
• Fining: None
• Filtration: None
• Closure: Screw cap
• Cellaring Potential: At least 10 years