Brassknocker by McArthur Ridge is our Village level Pinot Noir, the name is inspired from the unique Brassknocker soils which the McArthur Ridge vineyard are planted in, sited on expansive ancient glacial moraine terraces in Alexandra, Central Otago.
Brassknocker Pinot Noir displays beautiful aromatics of dark plum and red fruits of the forest. The palate shows wonderful balance and purity, with hints of mocha lifting delivery of a delicious finish. The wine is fantastic drinking now and we expect it to reward careful cellaring for another 5-7 years.
Brassknocker is the name given to the unique soils found at the McArthur Ridge vineyard which is sited on expansive ancient glacial moraine terraces in Alexandra Central Otago.
Located in the heart of this unforgiving mountainous region Central Otago sits the expansive vineyard of McArthur Ridge. The cool climate and gently sloping Brassknocker soils combine to deliver what some consider to be amongst the finest vineyards in the world for growing Pinot.
Each individual vineyard parcel is harvested separately then de-stemmed prior to 5 days cold soak in 5 to 10 tonne fermenters to build colour and aromatics. Fermentation took place using wild yeast for some cuvee and others were inoculated with selected burgundy yeast to enhance clonal differences in the fruit. Gentle daily plunging of the skins for an average of 21 days to extract a soft, complex structure, followed by extended skin maceration for three weeks post ferment to integrate and soften the tannins.The wine was pressed, racked to barrels and tanks for malolactic fermentation, received 50% oak aged for 9 months in seasoned French oak, 10% new, the balance aged with staves in tank. The wine was blended in Late October and filtered before being bottled. This lightly oaked style intentionally champions exceptional fruit with freshness in style. The clonal selection is wide which provided the benefit of complexity while delivering instant gratification.
Alexandra – Central Otago
Rolling Glacial Moraines
Northeast
360mm
Brassknocker Alluvial Gravels
200-300 meters
New Zealand
Pinot Noir
2023
13.5%
6.3 g/L
3.7 - RS: Dry
