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 2007
 
Fruit: The grapes were hand harvested from a stoney, riverbed vineyard in the Waipara district of Canterbury in April 07.

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 April 08

Released: June 08

Wine Analysis:

Total Alcohol 13.2%v/v
Titratable Acid 6.4 g/L
Total Sugar 2.2 g/L

Tasting Notes: This Pinot Noir has a mid red colour and bursts with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, strawberry and blueberry. The palate is focussed and concentrated, with velvet tannins, subtle, spicey oak and a very long finish.  Ideal for drinking now or will cellar well for drinking over the next 5 years.

Food Matches: Meat and game dishes, flavoursome fish such as tuna and salmon, or as an aperitif.