2017 Blanc de Noirs
Sparkling wine made wholly from Coal River Valley Pinot Noir grapes. Fermented and matured for seven years, this late-disgorged bottle is finished with dosage liquor and packaged for pleasure.
The growing season in Tasmania got off to an early start due to a mild and wet winter after a hot summer. This resulted in warmer-than-average soil temperatures and, consequentially, budburst was a fortnight ahead of usual.
This was quickly moderated, however, by a cool and windy spring which culminated in a drawn-out flowering period affecting fruit set in some varieties, particularly Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer.
The mild and windy weather continued through much of November, December and January although a glorious ‘Indian summer’ in February and March provided some much-needed heat.
Harvest started 2-3 weeks later than in 2016 and was significantly more drawn out than the compressed nature of the vintage in the previous year.