"Fresh cut Doris plum and ripe late season Black Douglas cherry full the aroma with layers of anise and subtle brown spice rack. Spicy whole bunch lift provides a layer of wild thyme like complexity to the nose. The palate entry is all cherry with a hint of Pomegranate and licorice across silky yet finely textured tannins. The cherry fruit drive sits over integrated oak which gives a supporting background structure.
Long plush and generous with a good 7 year future in the cellar. Supple tannins entwine with silky acidity to give a plush texture across the opulent fruit profile. There is abundance at the heart of this wine making for infinite appear.
As our search continues for new terrior amongst nooks and crannies of the Central Otago landscape we only further build our knowledge base of the highlights and challenges this place gives us. The stable nature of the 21/22 growing season and exceptional harvest conditions ensured the trusty Abel Clone is back at the forefront of our Central Otago blended Pinot Noir.
Abel ripens last of the Pinot clones and most often gives us the bass note platform off which we like to build this wine. Generous depth of fruit accompanied by plush but textured tannin. This is offset by lift and perfume from the 667 and UCD 5 clones and berry fruit of 777. Whole Bunch inclusion at 25% adds structure and spice with 15% new French oak sitting subtly as support. 60% of this blend comes from the Hawkesbury Vineyard near Wanaka which consistently provides elegance." - Charteris
