Sandy Cove Pinot Noir

Sandy Cove is made in Marlborough by the Scott family, one of the founding names of New Zealand's most famous wine region. Allan Scott began working in Marlborough's vineyards in the 1970s and established his own family estate in 1990; his son Josh now leads the winemaking. The wine is drawn from selected, sustainably farmed sites at the northeastern tip of the South Island, with fruit picked at full ripeness and carrying the bright natural acidity that defines the region.

The 2025 Pinot Noir is unoaked, fermented and raised entirely in stainless steel so the fruit is left to speak plainly. It pours a translucent ruby and leads with the variety's fresh red berries, cherry, raspberry, and ripe strawberry, lifted by a subtle floral note and a touch of forest floor savoriness underneath. There's a light herbal edge, a whisper of dried thyme and spice, that adds interest without weighing anything down. The palate is light to medium in weight, supple and easy, with soft tannins and juicy acidity keeping it lively from start to finish. With no oak to shape or slow it, the wine stays direct and transparent, a clear window onto Marlborough Pinot in its most approachable form.

This is Pinot Noir made for drinking rather than cellaring: bright, unforced, and seamless through the finish. A gentle chill suits it well, especially in warmer weather, and it wears its lightness as a strength.