Silver River Pinot Noir 2019
A premium blend of select parcels from our Blue Rock and Eclipse vineyards.
Winemaker Note
“As soon as the wine hit the glass Regan (Assistant Winemaker) commented, “certainly smells like both sites” Indeed it does! An abundance of rather pretty and lifted florals which I see as Blue Rock Vineyard character and the more familiar Martinborough terrace savoury/earthy notes coming from our Eclipse Vineyard. It is a deep wine to sniff, complex as well. Tasting the wine, I can’t escape the same feeling; Glossy and silky Blue Rock Vineyard mouthfeel gliding across the more solid, deeper bassy Eclipse Vineyard tannins. Makes for a rather delicious (and serious) mouthful! Really tasty drinking right now but would definitely benefit from decanting and some nice big Pinot Noir glasses! Cellar with confidence for 10 plus years. ”
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Winter came late with August and September cold and wet. Jack Frost paid a visit with a catastrophic event occurring late spring resulting in heavy losses across the region. We were not spared, Eclipse vineyard was struck across the blocks closest to the terrace edge, losses estimated around 30%. High rainfall returned in November negatively impacting on the flowering stage, reducing crop levels significantly and making machinery work extremely difficult. To put it mildly; a highly challenging spring. Summer was hot and relatively dry. Harvest was earlier than usual with perfect weather for picking. In the end excellent quality fruit was harvested albeit in small quantities.
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Two, separate 1.5 ton portions of Pinot Noir were selected from each site. From Blue Rock Vineyard the bunches were harvested from Pipers’ block, planted in 1986, and Jims’ Block, planted 1995. All bunches were gently destemmed directly into 1-ton fermenters and allowed to ferment spontaneously with twice daily punch downs. Total maceration of 29 days. The Eclipse Vineyard bunches were selected from the original 1992 plantings. One portion was destemmed, the other fermented as 100% Whole cluster. As with the Blue Rock fruit, fermentation was spontaneous. The Whole cluster ferment was sealed upon delivery into the fermenter and left for 10 days to (hopefully) initiate some carbonic fermentation. Total maceration for both Eclipse portions was 32 days. Post pressing the wine was allowed to mature for 12 months in a mixture of new and two -three year seasoned puncheons. Before blending a strict triage ensured that only the most representative of the two potions made its’ way into the final wine. Just over 2500 bottles produced. In the end the final wine comprised of 2 x 500L puncheons of the Eclipse Portion and 2 x 500L puncheons from Blue Rock. Both the Eclipse Puncheons were new, both Blue Rock puncheons were second fill. One of the 100% Whole Cluster puncheons from Eclipse made the cut, so around 25% “whole bunch”. Bottled unfined and unfiltered following a 6 month rest in tank.
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Needs a true classic! Boeuf Bourguignon with roasted spuds please
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pH 3.7
TA 5.1 g/L
RS <1.0 g/L
Alc 13.5 %
Bottled Oct 2020
Recent Reviews
“94 points. Intense, fragrant, serious wine on the nose with exotic, ethereal, dark,cherry-stone fruit aromas and hints of oriental spice, cured meats, liquorice and a saline, seaweed note. Medium-bodied, tasty, savoury, flavour-saturated wine with a lovely kernel of fruit and a spicy, rich, long finish.”
“95 points. Varietal and complex, a core of minerality precedes aromas of a range of cherries and magosteen berries, old raspberries then some strawberry and baking spices of oak. Layers of complexity from French oak use including a roasted cashew nut quality then barrel spices and some wood smoke moments. Complex and youthful with pinosity at the core. An abundance of tannins have polish and finesse as well as needle-point texture. Medium+ acid line pulls everything together adding length and freshness as well. Excellent drinking from 2022 through 2029+.”
“96 points - This is superbly fruited and wonderfully complex on the nose showing dark berry, warm spice, cedar, mushroom and game nuances, leading to a gracefully expressed palate offering awesome concentration and refined mouthfeel. Soothing and silky with beautifully layered textures, finishing impressively long and expansive. At its best: now to 2032. .”
