Clos Ostler Caroline's Pinot Noir Central Otago 2020
2020 was a stunning season, warm & dry with just the right amount of heat when needed in the middle of flowering mid-December, giving the views energy to set small, intensely flavoured berries. Each clone used, contributes its own personality to the final wine with the plush UCD6, 667 & 777 clones offsetting the more structural 115 & Abel. By keeping the ferments separate in barrel right through maturation we were able to follow the evolution of the wine. Using only Burgundian coopers 228L barrique & keeping the new barrel proportion closer to 20%. The colour is a satisfyingly deep ruby/magenta with garnet hues, ideal for a fine young Pinot. The aromas are distinctly ripe and obviously Clos Ostler - red & dark currants, raspberries, cherries and a touch of damson plum. The spice from the ripe seeds is intoxicating giving a delicious brown baking spice aroma of clove, nutmeg & anise. All this is accented by the most delicate yet intense dark liquorice French oak. The palate is immensely satisfying with a delicious sweet ripe fruit entry that builds in intensity as it is warmed in the mouth. Layers of fruit sit beautifully poised with more of those red & dark fruits sitting in the mid-palate without being heavy or clunky. Powdery & silky tannins provide the perfect foil for richness of the fruit & gentle acidity holds the wine together. It is a classic Caroline’s in a similar mold to the 2010 & 2016.
2020 was a stunning season, warm & dry with just the right amount of heat when needed in the middle of flowering mid-December, giving the views energy to set small, intensely flavoured berries. Each clone used, contributes its own personality to the final wine with the plush UCD6, 667 & 777 clones offsetting the more structural 115 & Abel. By keeping the ferments separate in barrel right through maturation we were able to follow the evolution of the wine. Using only Burgundian coopers 228L barrique & keeping the new barrel proportion closer to 20%. The colour is a satisfyingly deep ruby/magenta with garnet hues, ideal for a fine young Pinot. The aromas are distinctly ripe and obviously Clos Ostler - red & dark currants, raspberries, cherries and a touch of damson plum. The spice from the ripe seeds is intoxicating giving a delicious brown baking spice aroma of clove, nutmeg & anise. All this is accented by the most delicate yet intense dark liquorice French oak. The palate is immensely satisfying with a delicious sweet ripe fruit entry that builds in intensity as it is warmed in the mouth. Layers of fruit sit beautifully poised with more of those red & dark fruits sitting in the mid-palate without being heavy or clunky. Powdery & silky tannins provide the perfect foil for richness of the fruit & gentle acidity holds the wine together. It is a classic Caroline’s in a similar mold to the 2010 & 2016.
2020 was a stunning season, warm & dry with just the right amount of heat when needed in the middle of flowering mid-December, giving the views energy to set small, intensely flavoured berries. Each clone used, contributes its own personality to the final wine with the plush UCD6, 667 & 777 clones offsetting the more structural 115 & Abel. By keeping the ferments separate in barrel right through maturation we were able to follow the evolution of the wine. Using only Burgundian coopers 228L barrique & keeping the new barrel proportion closer to 20%. The colour is a satisfyingly deep ruby/magenta with garnet hues, ideal for a fine young Pinot. The aromas are distinctly ripe and obviously Clos Ostler - red & dark currants, raspberries, cherries and a touch of damson plum. The spice from the ripe seeds is intoxicating giving a delicious brown baking spice aroma of clove, nutmeg & anise. All this is accented by the most delicate yet intense dark liquorice French oak. The palate is immensely satisfying with a delicious sweet ripe fruit entry that builds in intensity as it is warmed in the mouth. Layers of fruit sit beautifully poised with more of those red & dark fruits sitting in the mid-palate without being heavy or clunky. Powdery & silky tannins provide the perfect foil for richness of the fruit & gentle acidity holds the wine together. It is a classic Caroline’s in a similar mold to the 2010 & 2016.
