NGERINGA Nebbiolo 2009

Grown on a steep westerly facing slope at 360m above sea level on a rocky red ironstone and schist over clay.  Quite a challenging vineyard site - facing west, it receives the belting summer sun and often is exposed to characteristic winds of the Adelaide Hills. In the distance however, this vineyard backs towards Lake Alexandrina and the Murray mouth, consequently receiving cooling evening breezes which do much to preserve fruit acids and flavours through the critical weeks of ripening.  Only 360 vines planted.

TASTING NOTES
Our first Nebbiolo release.  Purely of the Nebbiolo Rosè clone and consequently very light in colour.  A luscious nose of exotic fruits and rose (essential oil).  A delicious mouthful of sweet cranberry and rose petal. And earthiness.  Taut varietal tannins but with a softness belying the Rosè clone.  Roses without the tar.

WINEMAKING NOTES
Our 2009 Nebbiolo was harvested on the 15th of April. It was matured in one old French barrique for 12 months before racking to tank and bottled shortly thereafter.

Wild fermentation, no enzymes, oxidative handling prefermentation, reserved use of oak barrels, spontaneous malolactic fermentation, gentle extraction, warmer fermentation, minimal & rare temperature control.  Minimal fining.  Estate bottled.

VINTAGE NOTES
The 2009 growing season started dry with little spring rain.  Early summer rain tried to make amends however that was easily forgotten as the summer months continued with only a few millimetres of natural rainfall.  For Ngeringa luckily we can supplement our requirements with good quality bore water.  Statistically, with small vines and a philosophy of low cropping levels, our water consumption is well below the average.  Unlike 2008 where the spike of intense heat came right at the beginning of harvest, this year it came mid February when the vines were just preparing themselves for their final ripening phase.  Despite heat leading up to harvest the vines kept their health and fruit was harvested in beautiful condition with high natural acidity.

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