Mount Dottrel Central Otago Saignée Rosé 2008
Tasting description
The exacting saignée method has produced a Pinot Noir Rosé wine of delicate summer berry fruit aromas and smooth, rounded notes of peach, strawberries and cream with tantalising hints of rose petals. Best served slightly chilled. Drink while young and fresh.
Winemaking
Under the care of award winning winemaker Carol Bunn, ripe, hand-picked Pinot Noir fruit, gentle winemaking and careful management of the skin contact resulted in the rose pink colour that you see in the glass. Juice was fermented in stainless steel to retain the subtle fruit flavours, with the fermentation controlled to give an off-dry style that will retain the wine’s natural acidity with a clean, dry finish. The soft rose pink colour results from the short time the juice had contact with its skins before being drained off in accordance with the saignée process.
Analysis at bottling: Alcohol 14.0% TA = 6.5 g/L RS = 4.5 g/L pH = 3.4
We choose to enclose our wine under screw cap to ensure freshness and avoid cork taint.
Viticulture notes
Our vineyard is situated on glacial schist – low-fertility, alluvial soils typical of the Cromwell Basin in Central Otago, New Zealand. We experience a cool climate of continental extremes – hot, dry summers with cool, dry autumns that promote intense flavour development of our fruit.
The 2008 vintage saw excellent fruit set due to fabulous weather in December. The good weather continued through January and February, allowing good berry development. This gave the resultant wines excellent fruit intensity and sweetness. Cooler weather leading up to harvest extended the ripening period, so the fruit could be picked in optimum condition.
Food match
Mount Dottrel Saignée Rosé is a perfect summer aperitif, excellent when paired with summer chicken or fish salads or a splendid accompaniment to Thai food.
