VINTAGE 2016

Winter of 2015 was cold and dry, the coldest in 26 years, with an average of 13.9°C.

Cold and dry conditions continued into spring, with below average rainfall throughout September and October. Budburst occurred in mid-September.  Flowering commenced early November with the dry conditions prevailing. The gentle, dry and warm conditions led to excellent fruit set and pre-bunch closure around 30 November.

Summer began with below average rainfall and above average temperatures.  It was Victoria’s third warmest summer on record and we were thankful for the prevailing sea breezes in our part of the world.  February was hot and dry, and harvest commenced on  11 February, the earliest vintage on record at Yabby Lake - one week earlier than 2015, unprecedented for the Mornington Peninsula.  Pinot Gris was harvested first, then Chardonnay followed by the Pinot Noir.  The fruit was picked in excellent, pristine condition – with concentrated fruit flavours and exceptional colours.

WINEMAKING

Handpicked, with each parcel handled separately in the winery (a total of 18 individual batches). Hand sorted and carefully destemmed (some whole bunches), each parcel went into traditional open fermenters. The wine underwent three days of cold soaking to ensure even and thorough extraction. Batches were on skins for 7-10 days, after which time they were transferred into French oak (500L puncheons) for 10 months and prepared for bottling in late November 2016.

TASTING NOTE

Characteristic perfumed, fragrant aromas highlighted by cherry and dark berry fruits complemented by a touch of spice and underlying French oak. The long, silky palate has a lovely elegance and velvety texture, with concentrated red fruit flavours and a finely poised finish.