Seresin
Sun and Moon Pinot Noir – 2014
Region: New Zealand
Seresin
Michael Seresin was born in Wellington, New Zealand, but left in the 1960s, when sheep, not grapevines, covered the Wairau Plains. He settled in Italy, where he was captivated by Italian food and wine culture and began his career as a cinematographer. Over time Michael’s interest in wine developed into a passion. In the early 1990s after investigating opportunities to start a winery in Italy, he became aware of the quality wines starting to emerge from his homeland. After visiting Marlborough, and falling in love with the Marlborough Sounds, Michael purchased a home, followed by the purchase of land in the Wairau Valley. He immediately began planting vines and importing Tuscan olive varieties along with significant plantings of native plant species -and this was the beginning of Seresin’s Home Vineyard.
One of the first wineries in New Zealand to operate organic vineyards, Seresin released their first vintage in 1996. A year later, the Tatou Vineyard was purchased along with land in the Omaka Valley. Today the vineyard is known as the the Raupo Creek Vineyard. Seresin was recognized by the Marlborough District Council’s in 2009 and awarded the Marlborough Environment Award. It is certified Organic (US & NZ BioGro) and the largest Marlborough vineyard to be certified DEMETER biodynamic.
In 2018, the Tatou vineyard and winery were sold to local NZ winemakers Ben Glover and Rhyan Wardman (the inaugural assistant winemaker at Seresin). Today, the wines are made by winemaker Tamra Kelly-Washington at what was the original Seresin winery and is known today as The Coterie, a winemaking hub championing small-batch, single-site wines.
Winemaker Tamra Kelly-Washington graduated as a top scholar from Lincoln University with a degree in Viticulture and Oenology. She started her career at Seresin Estate and after spending time making wine in the USA, Australia and Italy she headed back to her roots. Tamara joined the Seresin Estate team just in time for the 2018 harvest.
Working with viticulturist Cameron Vawter, a passionate advocate for biodynamic farming, the focus is on precise picking decisions, embracing acidity with a focus on guiding pristine fruit through the winemaking process with minimal handling. The resulting wines are elegant, structured and a genuine reflection of their provenance.
Reviews
93 Points
From a vintage that turned out some attractive Pinot Noirs that often lack depth and richness, the 2014 Sun and Moon Pinot Noir is a notable exception, offering enough stuffing to warrant another year or two in the cellar before broaching a bottle. Unfined and unfiltered, it’s slightly hazy in the glass, but it delivers outstanding aromas of raspberries and cherries, roses and tea leaves. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, with some slightly grainy tannins and a rich texture, leading into a long, complex finish that hints at cola and wintergreen. Drink 2020 – 2029
© Wine Advocate, March, 2019
95 Points
The biodynamically farmed Seresin was created in the ’90s by Hollywood filmmaker Michael Seresin. The brand has gone through some big changes recently, namely a major downsize, with wines now contract made. After some air, this whirls with red berry, orange bitters, rose petals and sanguine, mineral nuances. More full structured when compared with the “Rachel,” there’s a beautiful through line of bright red fruit neatly wound by savory, fine tannins. A precise, shimmering wine with years of life left in it. Drink now–2027
Wine Enthusiast, May, 2020
17 Points
Macerated on the skins for two weeks after fermentation. Aged for 18 months in French oak barriques, 14% new. Bottled unfiltered and unfined. Pale ruby. Not that much aroma at the moment. Lightly floral. Really quite lively and lifted on the palate. Reverberates. This really is superior! Obvious richness on the palate though no heaviness at all. Presumably the nose will develop over the next few months. Quite long. 2018 – 2014
JancisRobinson.com, January, 2019
90 Points
(Marlborough, 154 cases, organic fruit, 13.5%). A reserved, ripe and well layered nose reflects notes of both red and dark currant along with similar floral wisps. The delicious, succulent and very round, indeed even opulent, medium weight flavors display solid if not truly special persistence on the dusty and mildly austere finale. This is certainly very good, but it can’t match the Raupo for depth and overall harmony. 2024+
Allen Meadow's Burghound, October, 2020
91 Points
Despite being more than six years old, this structured offering is still a tough nut to crack, remaining resolute and firm. While the gentle midpalate is filled with unadulterated plum, herbal and spice flavors, there is a firm tannic structure, which is emphasized by firm acidity, leaving a rather upright conclusion. This will require patience and a love of acidity. Tea leaves and festive spices linger on the long finish. Unfined and unfiltered, so expect it is to be slightly hazy in color. 2023 – 2030
© Wine Advocate, March, 2021