Mt Difficulty Single Vineyard Long Gully Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2017
Tasting Notes
Long Gully Pinot Noir is an engaging compilation for the senses. A vibrant bouquet of black cherry and wild herb give way to a supple palate. Flavours of cherry and sweet brown spice are supported by finely textured tannins leading to a long, satisfying finish.
CELLARING POTENTIAL
Mt Difficulty Long Gully Pinot Noir is expected to age beautifully for 10-15 years with proper cellaring.
Vintage Notes
VINTAGE 2016
The 2016 growing season was marked by an extended unstable weather pattern from October through March. Lower than average rainfall coupled with unusually warm days through spring led to an early bud burst and flowering. In January, a cool, windy system slowed down the vines’ progress and delayed verasion. A very warm February was followed by an uncharacteristically overcast March. Finally, April delivered ample sunshine and stable conditions. Ultimately, we began picking later than usual but harvest was condensed to just 24 days.
WINEMAKING CONSIDERATIONS
The fruit for this wine was harvested on the 11th and 12th of April 2016. Upon arrival at the winery, 70% of the bunches were destemmed, retaining 30% as whole-cluster. After 8 days of pre-fermentation maceration and another 7-8 days of fermentation, we let the wine sit on skins 6-8 days further. The wine was punched down a maximum of once daily before being pressed and racked to French oak barrels (27% new) for 14 months. The wine was bottled without fining or filtration on the 20th of November 2017.
Alc. 14.2% TA 4.5 g/L pH 3.78 Residual Sugar < 1 g/L
Accolades & Awards
96 points, James Suckling Tasting Report 2019
