About the 2022 Central Pinot Noir…

As it has been since 2018, our 2022 Central Pinot Noir has been sourced from our oldest Pinot Noir vines planted back in 1992.  100% MV6 clone, this block represents what has been the structural heart of Curly Flat Pinot Noir since our first vintage in 1998.  Northern facing and nestled upon a gentle slope that rises to the south, this block is a natural amphitheatre for the sun to interact with these maturing vines that are bedded in geologically young soils (2 million years) consisting of rare volcanic, which have only known to have occurred in Australia throughout small parts of our region.  The wines are grown here consist of brooding darker fruits in the main supported with peripheral red fruits supported by fine, yet firmly detailed tannin along with fruit that expresses aromatically and is rich in both fruit and fragrance.

From the vineyard…

The 2022 growing season continues the cool theme of the last two seasons of 2021 & 2020.  Although all three were cool, each vintage has expressed differently and 2022 is no exception.  This was from the get-go as we endured our coldest spring on record.  In comparison, the combined heat accumulation of October and November were over 60% lower than the average.  Thankfully, we managed to avoid any serious frosts during this time most part due to higher rainfall and associated cloud cover.  The cool trend continued for most of the summer outside of a warmer-than-average January that gave our vines a welcome push along with that month’s slightly above-average rainfall. Rainfall for December and February was well below average, especially in February when no rain fell for the entire month.  That said, the effect of a dry February aided the concentration of our fruit in this somewhat cooler year.  Autumn too was cooler than average, especially April but by then we ready to pick at optimal ripeness.  Overall we are delighted with 2022 which expresses with wonderful fragrance, nuanced depth, supple yet ample texture brought together with chime of fresh mineral acidity.

From the winery

Our 2022 Central Pinot Noir has been selected from the one parcel offered this season from our 1992 block Pinot Noir.  In keeping with our approach to this block, this parcel was indigenously fermented with a higher percentage of whole bunches to compliment the existing fruit tannin while providing further lift to the red-fruited aromatics that contrast with darker fruits and more savoury expressions inherent with this site. Pressed after 17 days on skins the wines then rested in a barrel for 14 months and ultimately consists of 30% whole bunch and 20% new oak and was bottled without filtration.