Description
Enticing lifted floral notes with blue and red fruits, hints of pepper spice and orange zest accompany the characteristic wet stone and mineral elements from this vineyard. Supple and seamless with lovely palate length and structural tannins framing the wine. Enjoyable over the coming years, this wine will also reward cellaring to 10-12 years.
Certifications
Alcohol
13.5%
Analytical data
Vineyard
Climate Continental climate marked by hot summers and cold winters. There is a classic diurnal shift in temperatures between day and night during the growing season that retains bright acidity whilst ensuring even ripening of the grapes. Central Otago has a perfect growing environment in terms of low disease pressure. Low rainfall, free draining soils contribute to concentration of fruit flavours and intensity. Soils The soils in the vineyard are derivatives of broken down schist and granite. They are classified as free draining sandy loams. In the lower elevations the soils are slightly heavier producing rich flamboyant wines of depth. On the steeper slopes the soils are much more rocky and gravelly producing wines of great minerality, finesse, concentration and structure. Most of the terrain is made up of old river beds pushed up by glacial movements. Elevation and Site The vineyard is a natural amphitheatre facing north east. The lowest point of the vineyard is at 240 metres and the highest point is at 310 metres. It is located above Lake Dunstan in the Cromwell basin just south of the 45th parallel. Farming The entire estate is farmed according to the philosophies laid down by Rudolf Steiner in his series of agriculture lectures in the 1920’s. This biodynamic farming recognizes the influence of the earth, the sky and the cosmos as factors that influence plant and animal life alike. Soil health and vitality are key components to the ongoing balance and health of our vines and the resultant fruit we harvest. The health and well being of all who work on the farm is also key to the function of our production. Along with viticulture, we farm highland cattle, sheep, chickens and bees. We also produce our own compost and grow many of the preparations needed for biodynamic farming.
Vinification
Finished wine detail: pH 3.60 TA 4.9g/L Alc 14.0% Commenced Harvest: 30th March Finished harvest 15th April Average Brix at harvest: 23.3 Whole cluster percentage: 13% New oak percentage: 24% Oak Cooperages : Damy, Mercurey and Sylvain Average time in fermenter: 20 days Composition by block and clone: Block 1 - 23%. 114, 115, 777, Abel, Cl 5 Block 2 - 15%. 10/5, 115, Cl5, Abel Block 4 - 17%. 777, Abel Block 5s - 4%. Abel Block 6 - 8%. 115, 667 Block 7E - 9%. 667, 777 Block 7W - 13%. 114, 777, Abel Block 8 - 7%. 667, 10/5 Block 10 - 4%. 828 Plant Density: 5000 Vines/Ha
Maturation
24% New - Damy, Mercurey - approx 12 months