Crittenden Estate 2007 Pinot Noir

Fruit

The grapes for this wine were grown entirely on our property at 25 Harrisons Rd Dromana. The clones are 114 and 115, MV6, D2V5 and D5V12. This is a 100% Mornington Peninsula wine.

Harvest

Over a period of ten days in the first half of March 2007.

Winemaking

The grapes were hand harvested and immediately destemmed to small open fermenters without crushing. The must, juice, pulp, skins and seeds were sent to the fermenters via a heat exchanger and the temperature was lowered from ambient to approximately seven degrees Celsius. A protective CO2 cover was maintained and the must “cold soaked” for four or five days prior to the commencement of the ferment. Half of the fermenters were allowed a spontaneous (natural or wild yeast) ferment and the balance was inoculated with a selected red wine yeast. The ferment temperature was allowed to reach 32 degrees Celsius and the wine was pressed off skins at dryness to a mixture of new and one and two year old French oak barriques, 225 litres. The malolactic ferment occurred naturally and was complete by mid winter.

Bottling

Feb 2008. Sealed under screw cap.

Technical information

Alc. Vol.: 13.5%

Residual sugar: dry

Ph: 3.35

Total acidity: 7.3 grams per litre

Tasting notes

This wine walks the middle ground between being fruit driven and more complex and structured. The contributing clones are 114 and 115, MV6, D2V5 and D5V12. Each brings unique character to the wine. There is faint but appealing sappy character that has nothing to do with stems in the ferment, but more to do with the berry size at maturity ie small. The texture is rich and structured with soft tannins and a good acid finish.

Cellaring

5 to 7 years.