Corofin Churton Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017

Sam and Mandy Weaver’s Churton Vineyard spans a ridgeline bordering the Waihopai Valley and Omaka’s high country. Corofin’s Pinot comes from 0.5 hectares of the northerly ‘Clod Block’, a northeast-facing terrace planted around 20 years ago. Managed organically (Bio Gro), it’s the most inland and southern site that Corofin source from. Therefore, it’s the most extreme with a high diurnal range. It’s often picked some ten days after Cowley. Another point of differentiation is the soil here—this parcel has plenty of gravel running through the clay. The clones are 777 and Clone 5 and while it shares the lithe personality of the two wines above, here we find a more compact and sappy structure, especially when first poured. With air the wine blossoms to reveal a creamier texture with both red and dark cherry fruit, lots of five spice, hints of chocolate, very fine tannins and a vibrant punchy close. A really classy Pinot.

Mike’s winemaking notes: "Handpicked on April 6th. Five days in sealed tanks as whole berries, then foot trodden, natural ferment, (eight days followed by seven days on skins), pressed to old barrel; spontaneous malolactic in the late spring/early summer with the wine remaining on original lees for 13 months; racked to tank for six months, before being bottled without fining or filtration in mid-November 2018."