When the Thomas family established their Omihi vineyard in 2004, they believed that the most elevated and exposed sections at 130 m with limestone soil would produce the best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With the work of viticulturist Nick Gill and winemaker Dom Maxwell, this has proven to be the case, and the rare ‘flagship’ ‘Erin’s’ Chardonnay and ‘Thomas Brothers’ Pinot Noirs from 2013 (click here to see my reviews of the 2013 wines) and 2015 (click here to see my reviews of the 2015 wines) are among the very best of their varieties I have tasted from the North Canterbury region.
Here, I review the new 2016 ‘Thomas Brothers’ Pinot Noir, from another exceptional growing season. (There is no 2017 wine.) I have seen three releases of 2016 Greystone Pinot Noir, the wines from estate fruit both rated 5-star, the most interesting arguably being the ‘Vineyard Ferment’ wine (click here to see my review). Dom Maxwell and his team are trialling this technique in various sections of the Pinot Noir vineyards, including the steep ‘Thomas Brothers’ block, though they did not do so in 2016. www.greystonewines.co.nz
