2017 Clark Estate “Dayvinleigh” Pinot Noir Rosé

Trophy Medal –  2017 Romeo Bragato Wine Awards

Gold Medal – 2017 Romeo Bragato Wine Awards

Silver Medal – 2017 New Zealand International Wine Show

Bronze Medal –  2017 Air New Zealand Wine Awards

91 points / 4.5 stars            Sam Kim, Wine Orbit –  This is brightly expressed on the nose showing raspberry, watermelon, white nectarine and floral characters. The palate is juicy and vibrant, and displays youthful fruit intensity and refreshing acidity, leading to a lingering, delightfully tasty finish.

91 points / 4 stars            Bob Campbell, MW  –  Pale, delicately succulent rosé with pure watermelon, fresh herb and subtle raspberry flavours. A suggestion of sweetness adds charm and promotes a gentle texture.

Viticulture

This season started warm but quickly turned cool, which resulted in less berries surviving the crucial flowering period.  The low yields coupled with sound vineyard management meant by harvest, the fruit was superbly ripe and flavoursome.

Winemaking

Harvested in the cool of the morning, the grapes were hand stomped in the gondola before being trucked into the winery, where they were kept on skins for a short time then pressed off.  The pink juice was then slowly fermented under cool temperatures until the perfect balance between flavour and sweetness was achieved.

Wine Analysis

pH       3.4

TA       6.4 g/L

Alc      11.6%

RS       4.5 g/L

Sourced from our growers, Tracy and Kevin Johnston, these Dayvinleigh Pinot Noir grapes were grown especially for Rosé.  The cool climate from far up the Wairau Valley help to retain the delicate flavours needed for quality Rosé production.