NGERINGA Pinot Noir 2009

Grown on a steep easterly facing slope at 360m above sea level on a delicate soil of sandy loam over clay.  In the distance, this vineyard overlooks Lake Alexandrina and the Murray mouth, consequently receiving cooling evening breezes which do much to preserve our fruit acids and flavours through the critical weeks of ripening.

TASTING NOTES
An openly expressive Pinot with aromas of cherry, marjoram and violet bouncing out of the glass.  A good concentration of fruit on the palate and an enticing length carried through by soft velvety tannins.  Cherry, blueberry and sweet herbs abound complemented by neatly integrated oak. 

WINEMAKING NOTES
Fermented with very little - less than 5% - whole bunch, unlike previous vintages.  Each year we find ourselves reducing our new oak component, preferring the purer fruit expression. Matured in approximately 14% new oak for 11 months.  Bottled on the following new moon. 

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 and one day we hope to require little irrigation as the roots delve deeper through the soil.

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.

Buy Online

Campbell Mattinson www.winefront.com.au  Posted July 11, 11
It sees very little new oak – less than 15 percent – and a little bit of whole bunch action. Smart way to handle things in a warm year.  Not that you can tell that this is from a warm year. It’s a delightful pinot noir. It’s not a wine or sweetness or oak; it’s a wine of earth and tannin. It’s composed and lengthy and taut, with dry, macerated cherry notes and nuances of various dry woods and spices. It should develop charmingly.  93+ Points  Drink 2014-2018

Download Tasting Notes: 2006 / 2005