Stonier Pinot Noir

In many ways, the 2012 growing season on the Mornington Peninsula was similar to the 2011 season, with above average rainfall right through to vintage demanding a very judicious approach in the vineyard. The big difference between seasons was the consistently warmer temperatures during 2012 (without any extreme heat), as well as a remarkably small crop of Pinot Noir (only 3.4 tonnes/ha average). With 80mm of rain falling at the very beginning of vintage, a vintage wipe-out seemed inevitable, but somehow the vines thrived, rapidly ripening their small crops to full ripeness and a quality level that is on par with the best vintages in the region’s history

The grapes for the Stonier Pinot Noir were very carefully hand-picked from each of our long term Stonier vineyards, prior to de-stemming into our small open fermenters and static Potter fermenters. Pressed and transferred to a mix of fine grain French oak (10-15% new) for malo lactic fermentation, the wine was matured for 10 months prior to racking and bottling.

Tasting Notes

Colour Brick red with a bright hue
Aroma Complex with indian spice and lifted perfume of strawberries and red berries.
Palate A firm palate with fruit weight presence and generosity building in the glass. There is plenty of spice and red fruits, which reveal an even more complex array of flavours as the wine opens up -it should be exciting to see the development of this wine as it unravels its many layers over time. As always there is a firm presence of savoury tannins holding things nicely together.

Technical Analysis
Alcohol: 13.0%
pH: 3.55
TA: 6.2 g/L
Residual sugar: Dry
Bottled: March 2013
Released: November, 2013