The Vineyard
Arranmore Vineyard is owned and farmed by Candice and Frewin. Purchased in March this year (2016), the vineyard has been converted to organic farming practices.
Site location: Piccadilly Valley – Adelaide Hills
Map coordinates: -34.969100, 138.760644
Clones: 114 and 115
Planted: 1998
Elevation: 545 meters
Aspect: East facing
Soil: Rich dark loam with clay and gravel mix, small pieces of quartz and ironstone sprinkled throughout.
Harvest: 25th March 2015
Tonnes: 2.18T
The Winemaking
Hand-picked, gentle destem to retain whole berries with 20% whole bunches, five-day cold soak prior to fermentation in stainless steel.
Gentle hand plunge twice daily, allowing ferment temperature to peak at 30°C, 14 days on skins.
Matured for 10 months in 100% French oak barrels, 15% new oak, lees stirred in barrel for 2 months.
Unfined, unfiltered and vegan.
Bottled 15th February 2016 – 166 dozen.
The Wine
Our estate-grown Arranmore Pinot Noir, dark and shy to begin, always needs coaxing from the glass. But given time to open, it rewards... liquorice, charred oak, blackberry and mulberry. Sweet and alluring, webbed with fine grainy tannins and a creamy mouthfeel, lingering dark cherries and star anise spice. Dark forest flavours in abundance.
Drinking: Ready to drink upon release. Cellar to 2023, perhaps beyond.
Alcohol 13.5% alc/vol
Reviews
94 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
92 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
92 points - Jane Faulkner, Wine Companion Magazine