About the Curly Flat Western Pinot Noir 2022

As with our inaugural 2018 Western Pinot Noir, our 2022 has been sourced from within our coolest viticultural sites planted in 1997 & 1998.  Over the years these blocks have increasingly formed the fragrant peak of Curly Flat Pinot Noir.  The reasons for this begin with its easterly aspect, situated on a rising slope to the west where the upper areas bask in the morning to midday sun but receive only dappled light come late afternoon, providing for slower ripening and greater retention of aromatics. While the majority of soils in our vineyard are geologically young volcanic red soils, select parcels find themselves situated in soils eroded from an ancient seafloor dating back 430 million years. We call this area ‘white dirt’ due to the soils noticeably lighter appearance.  As with the 2021 Western, we have once again sourced this label entirely from vines within the white dirt to revel in the distinctly beautiful aromatics that entwine with a powerful fruit drive which billows with fine talc like tannins. We bottle this small parcel separately to showcase its contribution towards the fragrant peak of the Estate Curly Flat Pinot Noir blend.

Vintage 2022

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

A more ethereal expression of Curly Flat Pinot Noir. Sourced from our Western blocks, this bottling is imbued with a distinctly red-fruited persona that is only gracefully amplified by the delicate 430 million-year-old sandstone soils that we call the ‘white dirt’. Located within our coolest site its easterly aspect receives morning and midday sun, before falling into afternoon shade. The unique combination of these distinct elements forms an exquisite trinity of perfumed fragrance, supple red fruits, and chalk like textures.  We employ no new oak to celebrate the distinct fragrance, along with the added complexity of 18% whole bunch.  Matured in 300 & 500 litre barrels over 14 months before being bottled without filtration.