2002 Picnic Pinot Noir

About the wine

Picnic Wine

  The label shows the proprietor's grandparents picnicking at Karitane Beach, Otago circa 1919. The jovial chap with a pipe is Sidney Neill, importer of French wines, among other things. The poor little blighter in the Toulouse-Latrec tie is Dermot Neill, then aged 4 years. Also in the foreground is Gwladys Neill, formidable matriarch and avid picnicker. In the background and weighing 20 lbs Gertrude Elworthy (nee Neill), the proprietor's esteemed aunt.

Tasting Notes

Lush and friendly, our Picnic Pinot shows sweet, thyme, red current and herbal aromatics with a warm rich mid palate and a soft, lifted finish.

Vintage and Harvest Notes: An early budburst occurred around the 30th of September. It was an excellent mild spring and early summer with flowering starting in late November, two weeks earlier than usual for Central Otago. A normal Central Otago summer followed with warm, but not hot temperatures, and many cool nights leading into a late clear autumn with the normal seasonal tapering of the temperatures.

Winemaking: Picnic Pinot Noir was selected from both the Alexandra and Gibbston regions and blended to make an earlier-drinking, fruit-driven style of wine.

Availability:

Sold in New Zealand only. Released in 2003.