2021 Eminence Pinot Noir

From the winemaker:

A classic, gilded, fragrant pinot noir that reflects its cold climate site.
Our first go at premium pinot noir, this wine is all about the balance between the classic Whitlands acidity, fruit weight and structure. The flavours are as pinot-esque as they come – dark cherries, pomegranate, wild raspberry and some underlying graphite-like savouriness. Big floral aromatics and super fine grape-tannin structure rounds it out – the whole package together is very much classic style cold climate pinot noir.

Fruit and winemaking:
Made from the Mv6 clone, this fruit was handpicked from our organic trial block which gets all the extra attention, including leaf and bunch removal – with the aim of increasing the tannin in the skins. The grapes were destemmed and lightly crushed, cold soaked for a few days then fermented in a mix of small open fermenters. Over 35 days on skins, the must was gently hand plunged or pumped over twice a day to keep the cap in contact with the juice. After pressing, the wine was aged in old French oak barrels for 11 months on full solids. No filtration, fining, adjustments, or additives other than sulphur. 140 dozen produced.