Two Paddocks Pinot Noir - 2012

About the wine

Premium Pinot Noir

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

Tasting Notes

Vintage Comment:

A year of highs and lows in the vineyards – beginning well with strong even bud burst and then a very site specific frost in Gibbston destroyed most of the First Paddock vineyard. Somewhat ironically, Central Otago then had a wonderful summer – even Christmas day was in the low 30’s. A generally warmer year than 2011, the fruit displayed ripe, berry fruit flavours, gentle acidities and well behaved pH levels. Ideal December flowering conditions in the other two vineyards (Red Bank and Alex Paddocks) resulted in well formed medium sized bunches at desired low cropping rates.A relatively long cool autumn ripening periodproduced low sugar levels andwine based on mineralcomplexitywith subtle fruit characteristics.

Winemakers Notes:

In 2012, this wine was 100% Alexandra fruit from the Redbank and Alex Paddocks sites. Again, each block and clone was picked and fermented separately, with the final blending taking place prior to bottling.

Redcurrant, spice and wild black exotic fruit aromatics followed by a strongly driven wine showing great texture and elegance.

pH 3.61 -- TA 5.9 g/l -- Alc 13%

Proprietor: Sam Neill

Viticulturist: Mike Wing

Winemaker: Dean Shaw

Bottled: March 2013

Total Production: 850 cases

Cellaring: 2014 – 2019