Sato 2012 L'Insolite Pinot Noir

Yoshi Sato, a former investment banker in Japan, found his way to Central Otago (after a year of study at Lincoln University) and spent two years at Felton Road before joining Duncan Forsyth and the team at Mount Edward. While at Mount Edward he started making wine for his own label Sato. Now he's winemaking at Rockburn with Malcolm Rees Francis (also formerly of Felton Road), not far from the  Pisa Ranges, the source of the Sato fruit.

2012 Sato L'Insolite Pinot Noir: Mike Bennie Winefront 94+points: 'And there is the perfume. Hello! Wafts of dark, sweet, pure fruit with exotic spice, mocha, violet floral notes and a touch of garrigue. Beguiling. Pure and juicy across the palate with a trim of chalky tannins and a slick of molten berry fruit. It’s dense and deep for sure, but sits high in the palate with a crispness and dried herb note through the finish that warrants repeats to the glass. Savoury to the fore, though fruit isn’t sacrificed – it’s quite quixotic in its make up and compelling therefore. Delicacy here too. Intriguing wine. 2013-2023'

100% whole bunch, made from biodynamically and organically grown grapes.