Winemaker: Pete Bartle                                                                                                                      

Viticulturist: Rachel Moore

Vineyard notes:

The grapes for this wine were specifically chosen from our Lowburn Vineyard in Central Otago.

The 2011 growing season was a challenge. Budburst was slightly later, in mid October. The ensuing hot spring, saw rapid shoot growth so the season soon fast tracked a month ahead. Flowering and a perfect fruit-set was concentrated over a few weeks in late November as the weather remained hot and dry through December January. The normally two bunch shoots were crop thinned back to one bunch, re-balancing the vines, because of larger than normal bunches. February and March we saw high rainfall, but with the light crop and open canopy, the fruit was harvested from late March, very clean, uniform in size, ripe, with a fantastic intensity of sweet fruit and acid.

Winemaking considerations:

The fruit (100% Pinot Noir clones 113, 115 & 6 from Wanaka Road vineyard) was harvested on 23 March 2011.  It was de-stemmed and held on skins for 2 days to increase the colour extraction, before being pressed off.  The juice was inoculated with selected wine yeast and fermented in stainless steel to retain the varietal/ fruit characteristics.  The fermentation was stopped retaining a touch of residual sugar.

Alcohol:                       13.8%  

Residual Sugar :          5.56gLl

Aromatic and Palate Comments:

Pale pink with pink hues.  Lifted strawberries, raspberries and cream with candied apple on the nose.  Flavours of red berries, nectarine and pears on the palate, with a hint of cream brulee.  A dry style wine with medium weight and balanced acidity, showing a nice crisp, clean finish. It marries perfectly with fruit salad, chicken, white fish, salmon, strawberries and cream and cream brulee.

For complete flavour tree go to www.wildearthwines.co.