2008 Pinot Noir

Composition: 100 percent estate grown pinot noir
Clones: MV6, 114, 115
Yield: 1.9 tonnes per acre
Harvest Date: 1st March 2008
Bottled: 23 February 2009

Alcohol: 13.5%
pH at harvest: 3.4
Titrateable Acididity: 6.38 g/L
Cellaring : 6-8 years
Price: $30 per bottle



Winemaking Notes
Hat Rock’s Gold Medal winning sixth vintage, 2008 Pinot Noir also scooped the pool by winning the Trophy for best Pinot Noir at the 2009 Geelong Wine show.

It is from a warm to hot summer with generally low rainfall. The hand picked fruit was crushed / destemmed and distributed to three open fermenters. It was entirely fermented with indigenous strains. Pigeage (submersion of cap) took place three times per day during ferment. Gentle pressing was undertaken to optimise the extraction of colour, flavour and tannin. All wine was then matured for 11 months in carefully selected French oak bariques (one third new) and the wine was left unfiltered to preserve texture and to optimise flavour.

Tasting Notes
Colour: Vibrant translucent ruby red
Bouquet: A fragrant wine with dark fruit and wild strawberry aromas combining with  earthy "barnyard" undertones, that provide aromatic complexity.
Palate: Flavours are predominantly strawberry and dark cherry fruit characters. Firm acid, well integrated tannins and spicy oak provide overall balance.

Food Notes
The 2007 Pinot Noir is a very well balanced wine that compliments veal, lamb, pork and tuna. Its dark cherry fruit and spicy oak flavours are also a delicious accompliment to duck and rabbit dishes.