Methode Traditionnelle

Chardonnay

Sauvignon Blanc

Aromatic

Dessert Wine

Rose

Red Wine
 

Saint Clair Pioneer Block Bull Block 2009 Pinot Noir

This week's wine comes from a Saint Clair Pioneer Block that needs no explanation about the name. The former Jersey Bull paddock is situated in the Hawkesbury region of the Omaka Valley and has proved very successful in producing quality Pinot Noir.

The soils on this site are aged silt loam over clay loam sub-soil, and the vineyard typically experiences very warm days followed by cool nights. Both the climate and topography contribute to the vines producing small berries, which gives the wine power, concentration and intensity. The vineyard is traditionally harvested later in the season to allow a longer ripening period to also increase the intensity of flavours.

The fruit for the 2009 vintage was harvested when it had reached maximum flavour maturity and full physiological ripeness. Once at the winery, the fruit was held cold for four days prior to ferment to help extract maximum flavour and enhance colour stability. For the primary alcoholic fermentation, selected yeasts were used and the must was hand plunged up to six times daily. At dryness, each batch was pressed to tank then racked off gross lees to stainless steel tanks before going into a mixture of 31 percent new French Oak for ten months to complete malolactic fermentation after which it was blended and prepared for bottling.

I found the resulting dense crimson Saint Clair Bull Block 2009 Pinot Noir to exhibit aromas of dark berries and cherry. With savoury oak notes. On the palate, I found this wine to have delicious flavours of ripe black cherries, dark plums and boysenberries with notes of exotic spice. It is a wine with a fine tannin structure and long, lingering finish that will be a good match with your favourite lamb dish or roast beef.

This wine is drinking well now but I would expect it to mature and keep developing flavour for the next five years.

Reviewed by Stephen Clark (29/8/2011)
 

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