Martinborough Vineyard is proud to present
the sixth release of ‘Marie Zelie’ Reserve Pinot Noir 2019, this June. Marie Zelie is a rare and coveted fine wine carrying the hallmarks of Martinborough Vineyard’s pioneering style and impeccable reputation. Only produced in outstanding vintages, the 2019 vintage marks only the sixth release of the wine in the past 20 years and the first since 2013.
Marie Zelie Reserve Pinot Noir 2019
As custodian of a long and prestigious tradition of handcrafted wine at Martinborough Vineyard, this is Chief Winemaker Paul Mason’s fourth vintage of Marie Zelie.
Parcels from two of the oldest parts of the Home Block vineyard were carefully cultivated by Viticulturist Dave Shepherd, to achieve optimum ripeness. The grapes were then hand-picked and pressed. Aged for 13 months in selected French Oak Barriques, the wine was bottled in July 2020 and has spent four years resting in Martinborough Vineyard’s cellar awaiting it’s anticipated release.
The result is an elegant, sophisticated and seamless wine displaying the finest hallmarks of a great Martinborough Pinot Noir; brooding intensity, richness and depth of flavour.
Marie Zelie Reserve Pinot Noir 2019 has been awarded 98 Points by top US critic James Suckling.
“Aromas of dried strawberry, sea shell, lemon peel, and hints of cedar. Hints of salt. Medium to full body. Tannic and so structured with a length and seriousness that is so impressive. Goes on forever. Powerful. Like Musigny. This will age forever.” – James Suckling, 2024
The History of Marie Zelie
The little-known Marie Zelie Hermance Frere was a genuine local wine pioneer, and her heritage is represented three generations later in the Martinborough Vineyard founding Milne family. We are proud to name this exceptional Pinot Noir in her honour.
Arriving in Wairarapa in 1882, she plated vines to remind her of her French home and within a decade was making wine from more than 3000 cuttings on the family estate near Masterton. In 1908 prohibition was adopted in in Wairarapa and her vines were pulled out. A century later, Martinborough Vineyard founder Derek Milne married Marie Zelie’s great-great-niece Margaret.
Marie Zelie is the finest reflection of Martinborough Vineyard Pinot Noir, with just five barrels selected resulting in only 1,471 coveted bottles of the 2019 vintage made.
We unashamedly believe it is the leader of New Zealand Pinot Noir, secure in its strong heritage and striving for perfection with every vintage.
