The 2022 growing season was the third cool season in a row. Unlike the even and good sized crop of 2021, the season produced some low yields, though once again we are seeing the highest of quality ! October and November rains were heavy and right at the time of flowering for the earlier ripening varieties, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Along with tiny and light bunches, the resultant crop was 50% and 30% down respectively. The wines do have wonderful flavours, are powerful and balanced and will be ones to buy up on. All other varieties had strong yields and equally impressive quality. A stunning year for Cabernet Sauvignon with a long ‘Indian Summer’ allowing for picking to take place with fine soft ripe tannins and low alcohols.

Bright crimson and brilliant appearance, purple hues. Violets and blue fruited with complex spice notes on the nose. The palate delivers pure fruits and even tannins. It’s a compact and balanced vintage with terrific acid framework. The finish is long and fruit driven. A powerful wine that will mature gracefully over the next 4-6 years.

Our Estate vineyard Pinot Noir is a blend of two blocks (both MV6), the gravelly hungrier duplex clays of the North facing B block (10%) and the cooler loamy brown soils on the south facing C block (90% of blend). Hand-picked on the 3rd and 9th of March respectively, the fruit was kept in the coolroom overnight. De-stemming into vats the following morning, fruit purity of utmost importance with daily gentle wetting of the cap and CO2 (dry ice) for protection. A portion of whole bunches fermented seperately, making 10% of the final cuvee. Once fermentation commenced on day four (indigenous yeasts finally co-operating), the cap was pumped over very gently twice per day, with the odd pigeage towards the end. The 3 separate batches remained ‘on skins’ for 14 and 15 days. At the completion of fermentation, the wine was pressed to tank and then racked to French oak barrels (30% new) for malolactic fermentation. 9 months in oak, before being bottled December the 13th 2022.

Our 2022 Estate Vineyard Pinot noir would match well with Cote de bouef (rib eye) frites, béarnaise sauce and cos salade.