2015 Ata Mara Pinot Noir

From the Ata Mara vineyard on the Wanaka Cromwell highway, a cool site on the heavy clay soils that Pinot just loves. Late ripening, the fruit gets a wonderfully long growing season allowing plenty of time for physiological and flavour development. Pinot hates being rushed.

Handpicked from several different clones from the older South Block with each clone individually batch-fermented, some with whole bunches included, to show lots of different characters and allow plenty of blending options to make the best wine we can.

The wine is just over half clone 667 with the balance 777 and a small portion of clone 115, 5 and Abel. There is also some whole bunch fermentation which contributes the fragranced lift and some structural framework.

Vinified with a light touch and barrel matured with a relatively small portion of new oak, the wine is a fruit and site expression. Drink on release and over the next 3-7 years

This wine has a dark magenta core, bright pink rim and is clear & bright. On the nose there is warm cinnamon spice, black Doris plum, black cherry, wild thyme, lavender, violets and spiced whole-bunch lift.

This wine appeals; starting smooth and silky on the palate with a beautifully textured and well-structured framework of tannin and acid with a juicy succulence that is hard to resist.

Alcohol: 14.4%