2008 Pinot Noir

Bouquet & Palate: Perfumed notes of sweet berries and sour cherry are complemented by subtle savoury characters on the nose. A well structured palate supported by bright acidity and firm but very fine tannins combine with the richness and depth of varietal forest fruit flavours. This wine is elegant and approachable when young and shows great potential for improvement with age. Winemaking: Selected rows from several blocks within our Lenswood vineyard are chosen for their ability to deliver intense varietal character. In addition yields are kept to a minimum. The fruit is picked into 15 kilo baskets before storing in a cold-room for several days. Once removed we destem 80%, the remainder whole bunch, into small open top fermenters. We allow the yeast to begin ferment as we gently plunge two to three times a day. Once fermentation is complete we basket press into new and old French oak barriques.  The wine is left in barrel for 10-12 months after which an intensive barrel tasting selection takes place to determine inclusion in the final wine. The warm 2008 vintage conditions were perfect for ripening Pinot Noir and enabled us to produce a fuller-bodied Pinot from our vineyard. Technical Information: Fermentation:             Small open top fermenters, some wild yeast   Pressing:                     Basket pressed into French Barriques   Alcohol:                       13.9%   Closure:                      Screw cap