Crittenden Estate 2010 Pinot Noir

Fruit

The grapes for this wine were predominently grown on our property at 25 Harrisons Rd Dromana with a small portion (20%) being sourced from our leased vineyard in Balnarring. The clones are 114 and 115, MV6, D2V5 and D5V12. This is a 100% Mornington Peninsula wine. Grown using biological soil practices.

Winemaking

The grapes were hand harvested and immediately destemmed to small open fermenters without crushing. The must (juice, pulp, skins and seeds) were statically cooled to around 7 degrees celcius and a protective CO2 layer wa smaintained to enable a "cold soak" for four or five days prior to the commencement of the ferment. Each individual fermenter was allowed to gradually warm to ambient temperature, where the natural (wild yeast) ferment could commence. The ferment temperature was allowed to reach 32 degrees celcius 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

February 2011. Sealed under screw cap.

Technical information

Alc. Vol.: 13.5%
Ph: 3.52
Total acidity: 6.98 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.

Rollo Crittenden