Vineyard
Isabel Estate Block 1, Rows 75-97
Block 2, Rows 25-62
Block 3, Rows 1-19, 42-61, 85-96
McGinlay Vineyard

Harvest Date
3^rd - 16^th April 2009

Bottling Date
10^th July 2009

Viticulture - Mike Tiller
Pinot Gris really loves Marlborough… in early Summer we need to carry out serious bunch thinning, even after ‘laying down’ low to moderate bud numbers at pruning time.  The other challenge with this variety is to achieve complete fruit ripeness without the sugar levels going through the roof and the resulting high alcohol and/or high residual sugar in the wine which is, we believe, undesirable and not the style our vineyard aims for.  During the growing season too much sun on the ripening bunches can, we believe, thicken and over colour the skins. This can lead to a more “phenolic grainy profile” in the wine countering that desired silky texture of well-grown Pinot Gris wines.

Oenology - Patricia Miranda
Fruit was picked at optimal ripeness, albeit very late into the season. The long growing season was ideal to obtain varietal and natural expression of the Pinot Gris characteristics – a healthy pinky-grey skin brimming with flavour. Juice was cold settled and racked to stainless steel tanks where a cold, 10 –14 OC, was mantained as we sought to retain freshness and crispness. A soft viscosity was derived from an extended two months lees contact, building palate weight, body, structure and complexity.