2023 Le Ferme de Sato Les Violettes Pinot Noir

96 pts
Elegant and expressive, this Pinothas a gorgeous silky texture that sets it apart from typical Otago Pinots.

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Sale price$125.00
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In stock, ready to ship
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Description

If 'Sur les Nuages' is the ethereal, detailed Pinot in the Sato lineup, 'Les Violettes' is the one that brings the perfume and the silk. Yoshiaki and Kyoko Sato's transition from the corporate world in Tokyo to becoming some of Central Otago’s most intuitive organic farmers is one of the great modern stories of NZ wine. They treat their Mount Pisa vineyard with incredible care, and that dedication really shines through in the glass.

The 2023 season was a classic Otago rollercoaster. Nervous, frosty spring mornings that kept everyone on edge, but the warm, settled summer that followed gave the fruit a lovely density. The cooling trend toward harvest was the real kicker. It allowed the grapes to retain that vital crunch and energy. Because the Satos stick to 100% whole berries and skip the additives, you’re getting a completely transparent look at the site and the season.

It absolutely lives up to the name, too. There’s this beautiful floral lift of violets and wild thyme dancing around bright raspberry and cranberry notes. The palate is supple and elegant, with tannins strong and nicely defined. It’s plush and approachable but has that signature Sato poise that sets it apart from the more brooding, oak-heavy styles of the region. A stellar release from two of the most thoughtful makers in the game.

96 points
"Aromas of al dente strawberries just ready to be picked mingle with hints of citrus and peaches, following through to a medium body. This shows lovely fluidity, drinkability and finesse, yet the tannins are present with a long linear line at the end."
- James Suckling

96 points - "Aromas of al dente strawberries just ready to be picked mingle with hints of citrus and peaches, following through to a medium body. This shows lovely fluidity, drinkability and finesse, yet the tannins are present with a long linear line at the end. 100% whole-cluster fermentation. Needs a couple of years to come together. Best after 2027." - James Suckling

Price Bracket $101 and Above
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Pinot Noir
Country New Zealand
Region Central Otago
Feature Women in Wine
Natural/Lo-Fi
Organic
High Score
Reviewed By James Suckling
Critic Score 96
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure DIAM Cork

Sato

Yoshiaki Sato and his wife Kyoko harbor a deep passion for wine that led them on a unique journey. Originating from careers in international banking in Tokyo and London, they took a bold step toward realizing their wine aspirations by relocating to New Zealand. After a brief period at Lincoln University in Christchurch, where they pursued a graduate diploma in viticulture & viniculture, they eventually found themselves in Central Otago.

Yoshiaki Sato honed his craft during a two-year tenure at Felton Road alongside Blair Walters and a time at Mount Edward with Duncan Forsyth. The year 2009 marked the inception of the Sato label, as they acquired organically produced grapes, crafting their first 250 cases of Pinot Noir. A fervent advocate for organics and biodynamics, Sato adopts a hands-off approach in the winery, relying on natural ferments sans commercial yeasts, eschewing additives in the fermentation process, and employing minimal sulfur just before bottling.

In early 2016, the Satos made a significant investment by acquiring a 5-hectare (3.2 hectares effective) east-facing plot on Mount Pisa near Cromwell. This chemical-free site, featuring Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gamay Noir, and Pinot Noir plantings, serves as a testament to their unwavering dedication to sustainable and quality winemaking.

Yoshiaki & Kyoko Sato Sato

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