2019 Block 1 Pinot Noir
$85.00
“Yarra Valley encapsulated; perfumed and supple. Intensity on a delicate frame.” -Tim Shand, Winemaker
Vintage
2019 was a warm and dry vintage, with our oldest blocks and their deep root systems most resilient to the prevailing conditions. Maintaining canopy vigour was vital, particularly in pinot noir. Crops were particularly low, which helped ripening and quality significantly.
Winemaking
Vines were cane pruned, then shoot thinned and bunch thinned at veraison. Harvested from our oldest planting, the 32 year old Block 1. Handpicked, aiming for fruit flavours in the raspberry spectrum.
10% whole bunches were included in the ferment. A 4 day cold soak before fermentation kicked in naturally. 7 days on skins post ferment. New oak is all from the Taransaud Cooperage. 40% new.
Racked once, no fining, minimal filtration. Bottled in July 2020.
Technical Notes
Vineyard: Napoleone Block 1
Soil type: Grey loam on clay base
Yield: 2.3 tonnes/acre
Aspect: North-east
Clone: MV6
Whole Bunch: 10%
Yeast: Natural
MLF: Natural, in barrel
Cooper: Taransaud
Alcohol: 13.0%
Description
Gold Medal Winner Yarra Valley Wine Show 2019!
It’s a very special part of the vineyard, 27-year-old vines (SA125 clone) on free draining alluvial clay loam with a south easterly aspect. The aspect works, giving the vines a break from heavy late afternoon sun, allowing the naturally low yields to ripen slowly and build concentration. In the winery, cold soak followed by fermentation and then pressed to a mix of new, 1 year old and 2 year old Taransaud and Nadalie French oak for 15 months. Bottled, then entered into the Yarra Valley Wine Show. Sounds simple and it is when you start with fruit like this.
