Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

Growing Region: Waipara Valley, New Zealand

Chief Winemaker: Simon McGeorge

TASTING NOTE:
As we move closer to warmer weather and summer here in the southern hemisphere, many of us still enjoy a glass of red wine. So what better match with many of our favourite summer dishes than a light and cheerful Pinot Noir.

Bud break in 2011 was late September early October followed by a settled and warm spring with the vines undergoing an early flower set, the earliest on their records and also one of the best. The summer and ripening season for Waipara was ideal. The fruit for this wine are sourced from 4 unique vineyards: 45% the 'Home Block' vineyard, 33% the 'Mound' vineyard, 14% the 'Golden Terraces' vineyard and 8% from the 'Deans' vineyard.

After harvesting the quality fruit - each vineyard block was fermented separately, with a seven day cold sock followed by seven to ten days fermentation. Most parcels were then pressed and settled for two days before either being run to barrels or to stainless steel tank to await malolactic fermentation later during maturation. 30% of the juice was aged in oak barrels, with the remainder developing in tanks. After pouring the wine - a bright, deep red fills your glass, with a fresh Pinot Noir nose of lifted red fruits, earth and spice characters and good acidity. In the mouth the wine is soft and silky initially, the wine then flows through to a firm yet smooth and persistent structure of integrated oak, dark cherries, dried herbs and soft spice characters that linger on the finish. Decant for 30 minutes and serve at 15-16C.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:

Drinking well this coming summer; and over the next 3-4 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:

Perfect wine match with salmon, seared tuna salad, and pate with French bread, enjoy.

A bright, soft, early drinking style Pinot Noir.