ROCK FERRY MID HILL PINOT NOIR 2016

96/100 – Bob Campbell MW

Tasting Note: The nose shows deep dark fruit aromas, with notes of wild thyme, violets and liquorice. The palate has great fruit density and a line of acidity that provides structure and balance. Chalky tannins frame great concentration of fruit and a fantastic long finish. This wine shows excellent ageing potential of 10+ years.

Winemaking Notes: The 3 clones (115, Abel and 777) were hand harvested, hand sorted and then destemmed. The fruit was co-fermented using the indigenous yeast, and left on skins for 17 days post ferment. The free run wine was then transferred to French oak barriques (33% new) where it underwent indigenous MLF in spring and matured for 20 months in total. The wine was then racked off its lees, lightly fined with organic egg whites and bottled without filtration.

“Come all ye wine collectors. The same wine can be purchased with any of four different labels created by artist John Reynolds. That’s a first in my experience. It is packaged in a bottle that weighs over one kilo and has a wax capsule. This is serious pinot noir that lives up to its fancy packaging. Made from grapes selected in the mid-slope of their Bendigo vineyard. It’s a dense, ripe wine with plum, dark cherry, fresh herb, wood-smoke and spicy oak flavours. While it can be enjoyed now it will reward those who can keep it for a few years.” – Bob Campbell MW

Certification: Organic

Alcohol: 13.5%

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: Bendigo, Central Otago, New Zealand