tnotes06pinotnr

Pinot Noir Niagara River 2006
varietal composition harvest date bottling date cases produced barrel treatment analysis	100% pinot noir September 17 to 22 August 16, 2007 500 100% French, 30% new acid 67.3g/litre pH 3.4

vintage conditions

2006 started slowly with a cool damp spring, and bud break was later than normal. The weather warmed in mid May and remained hot through the summer. The heat coupled with timely rains made 2006 a very good growing season. September started off very warm and there were hopes of an early harvest, but the tail end of a hurricane brought rain in mid September which continued on and off through to October. However because of the great summer the grapes were mature and the flavours are exceptional.

vinification

Grapes were hand harvested from two distinct plantings young vines planted in 2003 and an older block planted in 1975. The wines were fermented and aged in separate batches and blended together prior to bottling. The grapes were cold soaked for a short time before ferment to extract colour and flavour. Fermentation, using select yeasts, was carried out in small batches with hand punch down two to three times daily. Wine was put into French Oak barrels for ageing and completion of malolactic fermentation. The wine was racked from barrel and egg white fined before bottling.

tasting notes

Bright red in colour with aromas of cherry and fresh raspberry and delicate floral notes. The palate is medium bodied with red fruit flavours and a touch of wood spice. The wine finishes with a fresh acidity with hints of orange peel.