2021 Kahiwi Cuvée Stella Pinot Noir

2021 Kahiwi Cuvée Stella Pinot Noir is a premium, small-batch Pinot Noir from Central Otago, New Zealand, sourced from the high-altitude Mount Pisa vineyard. Crafted with a minimal-intervention philosophy, this wine highlights the depth and structure of clay-dominant soils, offering a richer and more powerful expression of Central Otago Pinot Noir.

On the nose, the wine shows ripe strawberry, raspberry and dark cherry, layered with hints of dried tobacco, spice and subtle earthy notes. The palate is medium to full-bodied with impressive depth, combining bright red fruit, fine acidity and silky, lacy tannins, leading to a long, elegant finish.

Fermented using natural (wild) yeast and small-batch techniques, with partial whole-bunch inclusion and extended skin contact, the wine is matured in French oak (around 27% new) to build complexity while preserving purity of fruit. Stylistically, Cuvée Stella leans toward a richer, more fruit-driven and structured profile, often compared to a Côte de Beaune–inspired Pinot Noir, combining New Zealand vibrancy with Burgundian elegance.