Crittenden Estate Pinocchio 2009 Sangiovese

Fruit

Heathcote Victoria.

Harvest

Mid March 2009. 13.2 baume, 3.44 pH, 6.32 TA 

Winemaking

The grapes were hand harvested and transported to the winery for immediate destemming. The wine was fermented in open fermenters and hand plunged three times a day during the early stages and pumped over twice a day during the latter stages of the ferment. It was pressed off skins at full dryness to a mixture of three and four year old barrels. We religiously avoid the use of new oak for our Italian varieties as its sweet sappy characters detract from their natural structure and savouriness. After a period of 10 months in oak the wine was filtered in preparation for bottling.

Bottling

January 2010. Sealed under screw cap. 

Technical information

Alc. Vol.13.5%

Residual sugar: <.5gms per litre (dry)

Ph: 3.51

Total acidity: 6.37 grams per litre

Tasting notes

The distinguishing character of Sangiovese, in our view at least, should be one of savouriness followed by bitter (morello) cherries - traits which are more than abundant in our 2008 Pinocchio version. There is no “sweetness” on the mid palate such as you might expect from Pinot Noir. The finish is admirably long and tart with that refreshing spine of acidity and firm drying tannins. Goes so well with many Italian dishes.

Cellaring

Three to five years.