Three Miners Warden's Court Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021

Three Miners Warden's Court Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021French oak Boysenberry & plum Baking spice & almond Silky tannins "Offering excellent fruit purity and poise, the wine shows Black Doris plum, sweet cherry, floral, almond and subtle spice aromas on the nose. The palate is equally charming with succulent fruit flavours backed by fleshy texture and silky tannins, finishing refined and persistent. At its best: now to 2031" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Dec 2022 "Deep, rich purple with a ruby hue, even colour

• French oak
• Boysenberry & plum
• Baking spice & almond
• Silky tannins

"Offering excellent fruit purity and poise, the wine shows Black Doris plum, sweet cherry, floral, almond and subtle spice aromas on the nose. The palate is equally charming with succulent fruit flavours backed by fleshy texture and silky tannins, finishing refined and persistent. At its best: now to 2031" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Dec 2022

"Deep, rich purple with a ruby hue, even colour throughout. The nose is rich and broody, with aromas of dark cherry, blackcurrant and plum entwined with spice and earth. Medium-full bodied, blackcurrant, cherry and plum aromas are pure and succulent, complexed by nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper, a touch of herb and a slight earthy tone. The mouthfeel is silky with a supple tannin grip; integrated, juicy acidity carries to a moreish, refined closing. This youthful Pinot Noir is elegantly presented with succulent dark fruit and lively acidity on a silky tannin palate" Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, Dec 2022

An alluring and pretty nose sporting boysenberry, delicate floral notes and baking spice, contrasted by dark chocolate and roasted hazelnut characters. Pronounced flavours abound in the decadent, silky palate leading to a surprising mouth of dark cherry, savoury dried herb and bright notes of citrus rind entwined with chalky, salty tannins. Soft and elegant, this wine is supported with harmonious acidity and supple tannins.

The fruit was hand-harvested on the 19th of April 2021 at 23 Brix from Three Miners Vineyard, Alexandra. The fruit was destemmed and allowed to cold soak in open-top fermenters for 5 days before fermentation. The wine was fermented at a maximum of 31 degrees and once dry, was left on skins for 4 days to build balance before being drained. The remaining skins were pressed and combined with the free-run juice. The wine was settled for 24 hours and then racked to French oak barrels for maturation.

WARDEN’S COURT - dealt with the registration and enforcement of Miner’s Rights. Disputes often arose over claim jumping, forgeries, water races, roading and between partners of a joint claim. The old Courthouse in Alexandra is one of the town’s oldest stone buildings and was opened on the 16th of June 1879 to house The Warden’s Court.

Food match: Beef, lamb, and duck with cherries.