Single Vineyard Pinot

2004 First Paddock Pinot Noir

"The Hollyhock - "Just because we like them!"

A cooler vintage in the Gibbston valley than normal resulted in a wine demonstrating stronger herbal aromatics – brambles, sage, and thyme with hints of spice. With higher acidity the wine demonstrates a leaner palate that will develop with age. Again this vintage is characterised by a warm richly textured mouth feel, with subtle elegance and finesse culminating with a long persistent finish.

Winemaking
Four different ferments were undertaken using natural yeasts. Fermentation was achieved over an average of 4 weeks using cold soak, fermentation and post maceration. The wine was then transferred to small French barrels using 37% new barrels with the remainder ranging in age from 1 to 3 years. The wine was aged for 11 months before bottling May 2, 2005.

Viticulturists: Stephen and Jim Moffitt

Winemaker: Dean Shaw

Available: 2006

Drink: 2006 - 2010

Reviews:

Pinot noir ruby, one of the lightest. Bouquet is beautifully floral suggesting roses, on light fragrant red fruits such as strawberry and red cherry, for all the world like a Beaune village wine. Flavours are similar but a little stalky and acid, carefully oaked, all clearly in style for a cooler year. There is not the ripeness and richness of the delightful 2003 though. Cellar 3 – 8 years. -- Jeff Kelly Wine Review, April 2007

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“…is from Sam Neill’s Gibbston vineyard. It is lighter, …but none the worse for that with its silky texture, savoury hints of toasty oak, charm balance, and slight edginess that brought a lift rather than mouth-twisting astringency. It is a gentle wine that does not call attention to itself, but I found myself going back to it, especially as it went well with food.” -- Charmian Smith, Otago Daily Times May 3, 2006.

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“This is a vibrantly fruity wine with some attractive complexity and a hint of pinot noir’s trademark barnyard character.” -- Karl du Fresne, Sunday Magazine, May 7, 2006.