Fromm Clayvin Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011

July 27, 2013

Fromm Clayvin Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011 (Marlborough, NZ)
13.5%, Cork, $55ish
Source: Tasting
www.frommwinery.co.nz

I tasted this at a huge Winestate magazine Pinot Noir tasting last night and it made me do a double-take. It’s just a more Pinoty Pinot, from a region known more for ‘fruit’ than clear varietal flavours. I can still imagine it now.

What’s most interesting about this wine is just how low the acidity is, without the wine losing shape or looking flabby. I’ve commented about that before, but it really makes a difference for texture and mouthfeel, resulting in an unbelievably silky wine. There’s a meatiness on the nose too that you often see in wines from the ‘Southern Clays’ unofficial sub-region that only helps give this more seriousness and purpose, plus genuine fruit tannins too.

Great wine. Great. Amongst Marlborough’s very best.

Drink: 2013-2017
Score: 18.7/20, 95/100
Would I buy it? Absolutely.

2011, Marlborough, Pinot Noir, Top Wine, Wine

Andrew Graham was once voted the 23rd most trusted wine critic on the planet. A WCA Journalism Young Gun now old hack with 25yrs as a buyer, judge, journalist, marketer and too much more.

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6 responses to “Fromm Clayvin Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011”

Sanjay

July 27, 2013 at 10:31 am

Their Syrah used to be very good too.

Reply
1. ozwinereview
  
  July 27, 2013 at 10:49 am
  
  Still is. Better than ever methinks.
  
  Reply
Anonymous

July 31, 2013 at 1:32 am

Hey Andrew, where can we buy this from in Australia? Prince Wine Store have the 2010 at $90. The winery lists the 2011 at $72NZD.

It sounds great. Do you have any idea how it will cellar?

Reply
1. ozwinereview
  
  July 31, 2013 at 1:42 am
  
  No idea on where to get it from locally. This was a pre-release (with a hand drawn price sticker that was clearly wrong). I'd contact the winery direct.
  
  I tasted an 04 Fromm in September 2011 which was still in fine shape. Cellar 3-5 methinks.
  
  Reply
Cathie

July 13, 2016 at 5:08 pm

hi Andrew,
it’s so glad that you mentioned it here, I live in NZ and working on a report about this wine…what you think of the target market of this wine and what distribution strategy you would suggest?

Reply
Andrew Graham

July 13, 2016 at 5:41 pm

Hi Cathie,

Distribution strategy would be very dependant on what what country you’re taking about.

For Australian distribution it might be worthwhile to contact Negociants Australia who could give advice on how they run things locally.

Reply