2017 Mothervine Pinot Noir

Region

Hunter Valley, NSW

Winemaker

Adrian Sparks

Colour

Purple with violet hues.

Aroma

Intense red cherry, raspberry and blackberry, with complex dried herbs and spice.

Growing Conditions

An excellent year in the Hunter Valley. Dry throughout the growing season, the vineyards burst early but a cool Spring slowed the growth periods, meaning ripening was around 2-3 weeks later than usual. December saw warm weather with average rainfall allowing for healthy and clean canopies giving excellent ripening conditions. January and February saw significantly lower than average rainfall conditions which meant ripening was even and let the team have the ability to pick fruit at its optimum ripeness.

Palate

Structural and dense flavours, with chalky tannins. Excellent intensity of flavour, with great persistence and balance.

Vinification/Maturation

Hand picked and crushed to tank with the inclusion of around 10% whole bunches. A 3-day cold soak before fermentation with the cap plunged three time daily. Pressed to oak for malolactic fermentation on completion of primary ferment, racked and returned for maturation in French puncheons (with 20% new ) for 8 months before bottling.

Alcohol/Vol

13%

pH

3.49

Acidity

5.4

Food Matches

Peak Drinking

Hunter Pinot has the ability to age for well over 20 years.

95 Points - Campbell Mattinson

2021 Halliday Wine Companion

"Roars back into form. One word: character. Clean character. It's firm, red-fruited, sure-footed, a little spicy and low in oak. It's light but it feels confident. You just feel as though you're in good hands. Lengthy finish. A good strike of earthen tannin. Wood smoke as afters."