|
2005 Classic Release Pinot Noir Tasting Notes
This Pinot Noir belongs to the dark, brooding and structured style and is built to last.
Fruit
Pinot Noir grapes from mainly the warmer parts of the Mornington Peninsula have been used for this special Pinot Noir.
Maturation
All parcels were de-stemmed but not crushed to allow for some whole berries. About a quarter of this wine was cold soaked for 5 days prior to fermentation. Three quarters was pressed off while there was still a little sugar and allowed to finish its ferment in barrel while the rest remained on skins for up to a week. 50% new French oak, including some heavy toast Allier was used to impart a smoky character to the wine. Barrels were assessed twice and many culled prior to final blending and finishing.
Technical Analysis
Alcohol 13.5%.
Best Drinking
This wine definitely needs three years before its fruit sweetness starts to come to the fore and becomes balanced with its tannins and smoky barrel character. It will then start to build gamey and forest floor complexity over the following five or so years. We simply do not know how long this wine will go on for but we suspect 10-15 years is a reasonable estimate.
Bouquet and Palate
You can smell this wine in the glass as you approach the table, such is its perfume. Cherries, plums and sweet spice are seamlessly woven with more savoury leather and earth and a few gentle smoky notes. The palate has intense, layered flavours with soft, supple tannins and a very long finish. |
