Picnic Wine

2004 Picnic Pinot Noir

The label shows the proprietor's grandparents picnicking at Karitane Beach, Otago circa 1919. The jovial chap with a pipe is Sidney Neill, importer of French wines, among other things. The poor little blighter in the Toulouse-Latrec tie is Dermot Neill, then aged 4 years. Also in the foreground is Gwladys Neill, formidable matriarch and avid picnicker. In the background and weighing 20 lbs Gertrude Elworthy (nee Neill), the proprietor's esteemed aunt.

This wine shows spicy, blackcurrant and black cherry aromatics with a silky smooth elegant texture and a soft lingering finish.

Winemaking:
Grapes from our three vineyards throughout Central Otago – Gibbston, Alex Paddocks, and the second crop from Redbank, were selected and blended for this spunky young wine. The Redbank harvest yielded clear varietal fruit, and the Alex and Gibbston grapes were selected for the fruit- driven, early drinking qualities that characterise the Picnic style. Bottled: May 12, 2005.

Available: 2005

Drink:  2006 - 2008

Availability: For the first time, this wine will be exported in limited quantities to Australia, the US and Canada.

Reviews:
“Fragrant with dark cherry fruit, a savoury hint of toasty oak, and a nicely balanced finish, make this good drinking over the next twelve months or so.”
Charmian Smith
Wine of the Week, Otago Daily Times
November 16, 2005