2005 Kaimira Estate Vintner's Selection Pinot Noir
WINE DETAILS
The fruit for this wine comes mainly from two vineyards on Moutere clay with a small portion (20%) from the two home blocks in Brightwater. A naturally low yielding vintage resulted in small quantities of very concentrated fruit. Each of the 4 vineyards has several clones planted resulting in a broad range in the finished blend.
Each block was hand-picked (average harvest at 23° Brix), chilled and destemmed with minimal crushing and given a cold soak for around 5 days prior to inoculation with a selection of yeasts. Once finished, each ferment was pressed off with an average total skin time of 14 days, then settled and racked to barrel. All French oak, 20% new, barrel maturation was around 10 months, with full MLF occurring naturally in the spring.
Prior to bottling in March 2006, the wine underwent a light egg white fining and filtration.
TASTING NOTES
Deep purple colour with a complex nose showing dark cherries and plums, along with aromatic spices in the clove and vanilla spectrum. On the palate the oak is well balanced with the fruit and there is good flavour length and complexity with plenty of savoury notes. The small berries and low yields have given good concentration and phenolic ripeness, resulting in a well structured wine likely to reward careful cellaring.
Awards/Ratings
3 stars Michael Cooper Buyer's Guide to NZ Wines 2007
