Kelly Washington Gibbston Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017

Description

• Oaked
• Wild herb & briar
• Vibrant acidity
• Bright flavours

Winemakers trekked down to Central Otago to find the very best expression of Pinot Noir. Having had quite a lot of experience with fruit from the area, for them the sub-region of Gibbston shows Pinot Noir in its most finest form, and therefore they went on a mission to source fruit from a stunning little pocket just underneath the very dramatic and imposing Nevis Bluff. Like their whites; structure, acidity, texture and an element of savouriness are the watchwords that are transposed into this wine, with that classic Gibbston nose of wild herb and briar.

A stellar year for the inaugural vintage from the Monte Rosa Vineyard in Gibbston, Central Otago. A cool spring ensured low yields naturally, followed by a warm early summer and very favourable conditions over autumn. The fruit was harvested in pristine condition, showing bright flavours and lifted fragrances, all held together by a vibrant acidity.

Alluvial schist soils and a cool environment reveals a highly perfumed, structured and elegant wine. The fruit was handpicked and fermented with a portion of whole bunches before resting in French oak barrels for 11 months. A beautiful tale of Pinot Noir from a majestic site. Bottled unfiltered.

Located towards the end of the Gibbston valley floor on a gentle 2Ha hillside slope, at the foot of the majestic Nevis Bluff, 350 above sea level. The 17-year-old vines are planted on the unique Pigburn Soils, wind-blown glacial deposits over alluvial schist. The conditions are extreme – very cool nights, snow, hot days in the summer, very dry, and an incredibly long growing season. This vineyard is managed conventionally but with minimal chemical inputs. Yields are super low and vegetative growth naturally minimal.

At Kelly Washington they seek the most unique and diverse parcels of high quality fruit, which they translate into their elegant and honest wines. Working with such exceptional fruit, our aim is to is to showcase and explore sub regionality of New Zealand's wine growing regions, but moreover making wines of provenance. In many cases, these special sites are farmed organically and bio-dynamically. Therefore it is important for us to take these philosophies into the winery and beyond.