Pinot Noir
 
Origin: Pinot Noir is the classic grape of France's Burgundy region.  It is typically described as soft and feminine, with good examples having aromas of summer fruits, such as raspberry and plum, with a hint of tobacco.  Pinot Noir is a light style red with a soft finish and an emphasis on retaining primary fruit flavours.

The oak treatment adds flavour complexity and tannins to help stabilise both colour and flavour in this difficult to make wine. 

Vicarage Lane Pinot Noir 2009
 
Fruit: The grapes were hand harvested from a stoney, riverbed vineyard in the Waipara district of Canterbury in April 09.

Winemaking: Grapes were 100% crushed and destemmed to small open vats, then macerated for five day pre-fermentation. Fermentation began spontaneously with no yeast addition, skins were hand-plunged regularly, temperature peaked at 30 oC , and the vats were pressed after five days post-fermentation maceration to medium toast French oak, one and two year old barrels. The wine was matured in oak for ten months before bottling.

Bottled: From June 10

Released: August 10

Wine Analysis:

Total Alcohol 13.9%v/v
Titratable Acid 5.7 g/L
Total Sugar < 1 g/L

Tasting Notes: an intense nose of sour cherry, plum and blueberry with spicy, earthy hints and a touch of sage. The palate is focused and concentrated with velvet tannins, subtle spicy oak, good acidity and a very long finish.  Ideal for drinking now or will cellar well for drinking over the next 5 years.

Food Matches: Serve at room temperature on its own, or match with roasted chicken and roast vegetables, or with flavoursome fish such as tuna or salmon, or with red meats, especially game, served with a mushroom sauce.