Vineyard Blocks

2/3 from our new mountainside vineyard. Clones PN115 & PN777 on R99 rootstock.

Vines trained high off the ground with 5 wire vertical trellis. Rows 1.5m wide. Vine density 7000 vines/ha. Lightly irrigated on hot days to cool the vineyard and relieve stress. Yield 4 tons/ha. 

1/3 from part of our original Mont Fleur block planted in 1983 for “home consumption” only.  The Pinot Noir vines represent a tiny area of approx. 0.1 ha – 5 wire vertical trellis with 1.35m row width.  Vine density 7500 vines/ha.  Soil red Hutton mostly.  Clone BK5 on R99 rootstock.  No irrigation.Yield 3 – 4 tons/ha.

 

Vintage Conditions

A dry, hot summer.  The harvest was early with ripe, healthy grapes producing big wines with high alcohols.

Harvest date: 3/2/00 & 11/2/00 @ 23.4 - 25° balling.

 

Production

Spontaneous natural yeast fermentation started after 3 days cold soak. Fermented up to max. 30ºC. The cap of skins was punched down manually 2 - 4 times a day for 10 days. Wine drained directly into 3 x 225L barrels together with single pressing from traditional basket press. 1 New French oak, other 2 second fill.

All our red wine undergo malolactic fermentation in the barrel. 

Time in barrel 16 months with only a single racking.

Bottling date: 6/7/01.

Production: 68 cases.

 

Tasting Notes

Clear medium ruby – typically Pinot – colour. Complex ripe cherry, spicy and slightly earthy  aroma. Rich, silky textured palate with enough tannic structure to provide good maturation potential.Probably best between 2003 and 2008. Good Pinot always accompanies a wide variety of meals from seafood to steak. Try with wild mushroom pasta or veal dishes.

 

Analysis

Alc.  14.25           Sugar  1.5           TA  5.6            VA  0.74             pH  3.59            SO2   63  -  136