At latitude 45° South, New Zealand's Central Otago is the most southerly wine region in the world. With vineyards at 200 - 400m above sea level, vines cling precariously to the steep slopes and edges of deep river gorges. This is a region of climatic extremes with typically very hot summers, short autumns and bitterly cold winter days. The soils are rocky with easy drainage and poor fertility.
All these conditions are perfect for producing world-class Pinot Noir. The unique terrior of Central Otago produces wines of extraordinary intensity and distinction that show varietal and regional definition.
AROMA
The nose is floral and expressively perfumed with rose petal and violets overlaying a lattice of dense mixed berry fruit, Black Doris plum, and toasted brown spice interwoven with an intriguing whole bunch derived herbaceous lift.
PALATE
The palate is taut and powerful with powdery fine tannins up front lending a sinewy elegance. A fine streak of acidity offers a lively backdrop to the red and blue berry fruit core, presenting a wine that is both powerful and dense but beautifully light on it's feet.
VINIFICATION
Fruit for this wine was carefully hand picked and destemmed into small open top fermenters, retaining a high proportion of whole berries. One small oak fermenter contained 100% whole bunches and underwent a period of carbonic maceration prior to being foot stomped - the final blend contains 26% whole bunch. Individual fermenters underwent a short pre-fermentation maceration before fermenting naturally and being left on skins for up to 32 days before pressing. After a brief period of settling, the wine was roughly racked, taking a small portion of light lees and transferred to 225L French oak barriques (27% new) where it underwent natural malolactic fermentation and matured for 11 months before being racked, blended and prepared for bottling in late March 2021.
CELLARING POTENTIAL
10+ years.
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