"From the Glenlee vineyard in Gibbston. The wine reveals its cool climate origin with aromatic fresh herb flavours adding extra complexity to floral, cherry and spice flavours. Dense, elegant and supple wine with energy and character. Delicately aromatic pinot that gives a nod in the direction of Burgundy. Worth decanting" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Jan 2018

"Complex and engaging bouquet with aromas and flavours of fresh raspberry and crunchy red cherry, a touch of fruit spice and packed with fragrances of wood. Baking spices, a whisper of bacon (oak), red apple, a core of fruit then layers of minerality. Fresh, tension giving acidity, fine to moderate tannins the grip of a youthful and poised wine. Lengthy finish. Allow this wine to age please, it will reward" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Nov 2017

"Dark ruby-red colour with some depth, lighter on the rim. The nose is firmly concentrated with a soft, but densely packed core of dark-red cherry fruit entwined with fragrant dark-red and violet florals, complexed by subtle fresh and dark herb notes and nuances of whole bunch stalk elements. This has good depth and intensity, and beautiful perfumes. Medium-full bodied, the palate is sweetly rich with dark-red cherry and berry fruit with plum notes, interwoven with violet florals. Subtle dark herb and whole bunch stalk detail, with
hints of spicy oak add interest and complexity. The fruit is underlined by soft, fine-grained tannin extraction that allows the fruit to show some plumpness and opulence. The flavours are mouthfilling and carry gently to a soft, aromatic finish of dark fruits, florals and spices. This is a sweet, rich and plush Pinot Noir with dark berry fruit, subtle herb detail and spicy oak elements on a soft-textured palate with a degree of opulence" Raymond Chan, Oct 2017

The beauty of Gibbston threads through this wine. From its delightful fragrance to its wistful lingering thread of tannin, it embodies the site and region. Wild herbs and boyant red fruit aromatics lead into a palate of shimmering, svelte beauty.Drawing from Gibbston Valley’s most intriguing vineyards, the Single Vineyard range gives full voice to site. The 2016 Glenlee is wonderful drinking now, and will likely peak in 4-5 years.

Picked in the third week of April, the fruit was notably even with excellent flavour development. The fruit was divided into three fermenters, each with a different proportion of whole cluster (40%, 20%, 0%). Handling in the fermenter was very gentle, with punch downs limited to one per day during active fermentation. After the indigenous fermentation, the wine was pressed and sent to barrel for maturation and natural MLF. After 11 months in French oak, 26% new, the wine was racked into tank and bottled with no fining or cold stabilising.

Gibbston had an excellent 2016 vintage. Whilst successive cool fronts brought cool, frosty conditions to spring, December flowering was fast and very even, with excellent set. Cool conditions in January slowed growth, but record temperatures in February hastened development. Generally good conditions in March extended through a lovely warm April. Crop loads were slightly up due largely to even, uniform berry size and bunch weights. Flavours were fulsome with lower than normal acid levels, matching lovely low sugar levels.

The Glenlee vineyard was planted by Gary Andrus in 2002 to a high density configuration (6,000 vines per hectare). A band of glacial outwash and river gravels fans out through the highest eastern corner of this northfacing site. Here, free draining soil ensures vines are balanced with open canopies, lignified stems and ripe fruit. Glenlee Pinot Noir is drawn exclusively from these vines. The fruit combines fragrance with concentration and structure.