Astrolabe Durvillea Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020

Astrolabe Durvillea Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020French oak Red cherry & plum Vanilla & baking spice Silky texture "Ripe, fruity, varietal and enticing bouquet with aromas and flavours of fresh red cherry and plum, farmers market raspberries and flavours of clay and stone soil. Tannins and acidity add a sound foundation and texture for the fruit to rest on while the influence of oak is light adding in moments of vanilla and bakers spice. Balanced and ready to drink upon purchase and through 2024"

• French oak
• Red cherry & plum
• Vanilla & baking spice
• Silky texture

"Ripe, fruity, varietal and enticing bouquet with aromas and flavours of fresh red cherry and plum, farmers market raspberries and flavours of clay and stone soil. Tannins and acidity add a sound foundation and texture for the fruit to rest on while the influence of oak is light adding in moments of vanilla and bakers spice. Balanced and ready to drink upon purchase and through 2024" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Apr 2021

Black and red cherries, forest fruits and spice. Full-bodied, with cherry and plum flavours, a silky texture and a long, dry finish.

The 2019-2020 growing season was a little above average for temperature and growing degree days but cooler than the previous three seasons, which were all very high. The season was very dry, with only 43 mm (1.7 inches) of rain from 21 December to the end of harvest on 9 April. Budburst was five or six days early, and so was flowering. The dry season resulted in harvest coming in about ten days earlier than long term average. Where there was groundwater or drip irrigation, vines enjoyed good health and disease pressure was nil. Condition and health of the canopies ensured good flavour development.

The fruit was largely hand-picked, with a small portion machine picked at night, then de-stemmed into fermentation. A warm fermentation over 5 days followed, using wild and selected yeast with frequent punch downs of the ‘cap’, followed by a gentle pressing. The use of some new French oak barrels has added subtle nuances of spice and smoke.

Food Pairing: Duck, lamb and venison as well as roasted vegetables and dishes with tomato, pomegranate or tamarind.