The Ned Pinot Noir 2021

Some wines are named after vineyards, others after family members. The Ned takes its name from a mountain that winemaker Brent Marris spent his childhood exploring in Marlborough, New Zealand.

Growing up in the region, Marris developed a connection to its landscape long before establishing Marisco Vineyards. When he eventually created his own wine label, naming it after that familiar mountain seemed fitting. Today, The Ned represents his belief that great wine should reflect both the character of its surroundings and the pleasure of drinking it.

While Marlborough is best known for its intensely aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, the region also produces some compelling Pinot Noir, particularly in the Southern Valleys. Here, deeper clay-rich soils help Pinot Noir develop a fuller texture and more generous fruit character than the grape often displays in cooler, leaner growing conditions.

The 2021 The Ned Pinot Noir comes from these Southern Valleys vineyards. Following fermentation, the wine spends nine months aging in a combination of stainless steel and French oak, preserving its vibrant fruit while introducing additional texture and savory complexity.

The result is an expressive Pinot Noir with aromas of wild strawberry, ripe raspberry, dried oregano, and a touch of allspice. On the palate, juicy red cherry and raspberry flavors unfold alongside hints of licorice, smoky oak, and earthy spice. The tannins are supple but substantial enough to give the wine structure, while its refreshing acidity carries the fruit through a lingering finish.

This is a Pinot Noir with a little more generosity than you might expect, without sacrificing the elegance that makes the grape so appealing.

Serve it slightly cool, around 55–60°F, alongside herb-roasted chicken, pork tenderloin with mushrooms, or duck breast with a cherry reduction.