2017 Pinot Noir Cuvée C
The Cuvée C—first produced in 2016 and, since then, yearly—was birthed from the achievement of multiple milestones in 2016.
The Melick family's first grandchild, Constance, who was born in 2016, is the namesake for the "C", while "Cuvée" comes from the French word meaning 'a blend of wine'. The year 2016 also marked the passing of a decade from Pressing Matters' first vintage in 2006.
The pinot noir portion of the Pressing Matters vineyard is a tapestry of 20 various rootstock to clone variations, each kept separate during vintage, and which mean that there are approximately 20 barrels of pinot noir maturing simultaneously each year.
When it comes to blending, the top three barrels are judiciously selected and a portion from each are blended into the wine you find in this bottle. In essence, the Cuvée C is a showcasing of the best fruit of the vintage, and is a treasurable wine fit for celebratory occasions.
This is a wine of great finesse and elegance.
A pretty perfume wafts from the glass, while a delicate palate of fine tannins, a lovely acidity—telling of the cool vintage from which it was made—and slightly tart yet juicy morello cherries sweep you away in a prolonged moment of bliss.
10% wholebunch
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.