Tapanappa Foggy Hill Pinot Noir 2010, South Fleurieu Australia

Foggy Hill Pinot Noir 2010 from South Fleurieu was made by Brian Croser ( ex Petaluma winemaker). The Foggy Hill Vineyard is on a northwest-facing slope at 300 to 350 metres (ASL) at Parawa, the highest point of the Fleurieu Peninsula half way between Victor Harbor and Cape Jervis. The climate of here is very maritime. The Great Southern Ocean just 8 kilometres to the south keeps the winter warm and the summer cool. The wine style produced is amazingly Burgundin in style.The Dijon clone vines were planted in 2004 with the first wine vintage being 2007.

The winemakers notes are '
The Pinot Noir fruit was destemmed crushed and chilled to 3°C, 50ppm of SO₂ was added and the must was placed into the 1 tonne fermenters. The fermentation tubs were sealed down for 4 days for a cold maceration and were then seeded with a yeast strain selected from our own vineyards. Our own strain of malo-lactic bacteria was added at the same time. The tubs were hand plunged morning and night throughout the fermentation.
The fermentation on skins lasted 10 days and at its peak of activity reached 35ºC for a two-day period. When all of the sugar was exhausted the tubs were sealed down for a further 7 days of juice contact with the skins. The contents of the tubs were transferred to a small air bag press and drained and lightly pressed to barriques without any settling. A mixture of 30% new and the balance one and two year use French oak barriques were used.
The wine was allowed to sit on lees until the malo-lactic fermentation was complete in November after which it was racked and SO₂ was added before the wine was returned to barrique. After 9 months in barrique the wine was clear racked in January and was bottled on February 18th 2011 '

The wine itself, was ruby coloured and had a whiff of spice uplifting the red fruit aromas with a slight candied edge and rose petal for interest. On the palate, red currant, cherry, spice and a slight herbal nuance, slightly minty. The length was good with red fruit enrobed by sweet spices to the end. The tannins were grippy and had a chalky texture and did not feel as ripe as many of the 2010 Australian Pinots! This is avaiable from Wine Direct at a cost of £23+ a bottle. An elegant Burgundian style wine which has much to offer - watch this space!
Score : 85