January 2020 Releases: 2018 Red Claw Pinot Noir & 2018 Montalto Estate Pinot Noir

2018 Red Claw Pinot Noir $30

2018 Red Claw Pinot Noir The 2018 season on the Mornington Peninsula was characterised by a warm and extended summer. The wines are intensely flavoured, yet poised and balanced, ensuring their longevity. Region Mornington Peninsula – Tuerong Alc 14% Clones: 52% MV6, 23% G5V15, 85, 6% D4V2, 4% Abel, 4% 667, 34 Winemaker Tom Carson Viticulturist Martin Sampson Harvested 4 – 16 March Winemaking: Handpicked, with each parcel handled seperately in the winery. Hand sorted and carefully destemmed (25% 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 (500 L puncheons) for 10 months and bottled in December 2018. Tasting note: Characteristic perfumed, fragrant aromas highlighted by cherry and red berry fruits, complemented by a touch of spice and underlying French oak. The long, silky palate has lovely elegance, a plush, velvety texture and a finely poised finish.

2018 Montalto Estate Pinot Noir $50

Gold Medal 2019 Decanter World Wine Awards. Red and black cherry are the hallmark fruit qualities in the 2018 Estate Pinot Noir. Combine this with notes of black tea, blood orange, florals, spice, earth, dried herbs and forest floor, with a lick of tiramisu trailing from the oak and the results is a formidable and complex aroma profile. With the warmer 2018 season, we upped the ante with whole-bunch work to build in some additional aromatics and savoury qualities. The sweet fruit is harnessed by some serious structural ripe tannin which carries the length of the palate and is supported by bright natural acidity and a long and savoury finish. Our Montalto label represents the best parcels of fruit from our Estate Vineyards. Balanced vine physiology and meticulous attention to detail in the vineyard ensure premium quality. A vintage of both fragrance and structure, our Estate Pinot is a blend of vineyards from across the region including the cooler areas of Red Hill and Main Ridge and from our warmer Tuerong vineyards. Red Hill and Main Ridge blocks provide classic red fruited high-toned notes, whilst darker and earthier qualities come from our warmer Tuerong vineyards adding depth and structure. Harvest Date March, 2018 pH 3.51pH TA 6.30g/L Alcohol 13.7%% Residual Sugar <1 g/L