2010 Two Paddocks Pinot Noir

About the wine

Premium Pinot Noir

• Gold – London IWC 2014
• Outstanding Gold IWSC 2012

Two Paddocks flagship Pinot Noir - an estate grown, barrel selection from the Neill family estate vineyards in Central Otago. These vineyards are high-density planted in a range of clonal material and intensively ‘man-handled’ with nearly all vineyard practices carried out by hand (with the exception of compost spreading). As in the vineyard, the wine is hand crafted using traditional methods including a 25% whole bunch fermentation in French oak cuvees and hand plunging. It is then aged in French barriques for 11 months, using a mix of older and new (25%) barrels.

Tasting Notes

Vintage Comment:

2010 will be noted as one of our most powerful and concentrated vintages on record. Flowering took place over reasonably unsettled weather in December, and because of this berry size was smaller and bunch weights lowered. The unsettled weather patterns change from late January and our vintage finished with higher than usual temperature and long settled periods of dry, hot autumn days. The smaller berry size, lack of disease pressure and long length of ripening will ensure that this is a vintage that will stand Central Otago proud.

Winemaker’s Notes: A lifted intriguing sensual aroma of blackcurrant, thyme and wild flower aromatics followed by spice and exotic dark fruit flavours. This wine is built on texture, strength, elegance and persistence.

In 2010, this wine was an assemblage from our Gibbston First Paddock and the Earnscleugh Last Chance and Red Bank vineyards. Again, each block and clone was picked and fermented separately, with the final blending taking place prior to bottling.

pH  3.63 -- TA   5.9 g/l -- Alc  13.5%

Harvest Dates: 23 April  - 4 May 2010

Proprietor: Sam Neill

Viticulturist:  Mike Wing

Winemaker:  Dean Shaw

Bottled: March 2011

Total Production: 1000 cases Cellaring: 2014 – 2017