Wine Article
2020 Two Paddocks Pinot Noir Last Chance
Last edited on 4/3/2023 by LindsayM
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VINTAGE COMMENT
A dry cold 2019 winter continued into a dry spring that was dominated some severe wind and snow events. The critical flowering month of December was still relatively cool and experienced 50mm of rain over three days. As a result, flowering was both late and drawn out. Finally, the summer heat arrived in mid-January and lasted until mid-March but the critical cell division stage for the berries was also cool and along with the challenging conditions at flowering, resulted in crop levels being 30-40% down in many of the vineyard blocks. There were two pieces of very good news though – the smaller bunches and small berries were much easier for the vines to fully ripen in late summer and ultimately resulted in densely coloured, aromatic wines. 2020 harvest was also one of the most compact that Two Paddocks has seen starting on the 6th of April and all done by the 24th April. The Last Chance was harvested on the 8th of April.
WINEMAKERS NOTES
Hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard on the 8th April. Clonal selection predominantly Clone 115 and Clone 5. 74.5% whole-bunch fermentation in a 3.5 tonne wooden cuve. 5-day cold soak. Indigenous yeast added. 24 days left on skins with one plunge per day. Ferment temperature peaked at 32° – post fermentation transferred to medium and light toast French barriques for 11 months maturation. 12.5% new oak and the balance in second and third fill barrels.
TASTING NOTE
A bequiling complex nose showing wild thyme, red fruit and a mix of spicy blackberry and plum aromatics. This gives way to a plush fully textured palate weight giving generous amounts of flavour built on an elegant, fresh and feminine framework, great tension and poise.
MEDIA
96 Points James Suckling
Proprietor: Sam Neill
Viticulturist: Mike Wing
Winemaker: Dean Shaw
Bottled: March 2021
Total Production: 950 bottles
Cellaring: Up to 10 years
pH 3.55 -- TA 5.9 g/l Alc 12.5%
A dry cold 2019 winter continued into a dry spring that was dominated some severe wind and snow events. The critical flowering month of December was still relatively cool and experienced 50mm of rain over three days. As a result, flowering was both late and drawn out. Finally, the summer heat arrived in mid-January and lasted until mid-March but the critical cell division stage for the berries was also cool and along with the challenging conditions at flowering, resulted in crop levels being 30-40% down in many of the vineyard blocks. There were two pieces of very good news though – the smaller bunches and small berries were much easier for the vines to fully ripen in late summer and ultimately resulted in densely coloured, aromatic wines. 2020 harvest was also one of the most compact that Two Paddocks has seen starting on the 6th of April and all done by the 24th April. The Last Chance was harvested on the 8th of April.
WINEMAKERS NOTES
Hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard on the 8th April. Clonal selection predominantly Clone 115 and Clone 5. 74.5% whole-bunch fermentation in a 3.5 tonne wooden cuve. 5-day cold soak. Indigenous yeast added. 24 days left on skins with one plunge per day. Ferment temperature peaked at 32° – post fermentation transferred to medium and light toast French barriques for 11 months maturation. 12.5% new oak and the balance in second and third fill barrels.
TASTING NOTE
A bequiling complex nose showing wild thyme, red fruit and a mix of spicy blackberry and plum aromatics. This gives way to a plush fully textured palate weight giving generous amounts of flavour built on an elegant, fresh and feminine framework, great tension and poise.
MEDIA
96 Points James Suckling
Proprietor: Sam Neill
Viticulturist: Mike Wing
Winemaker: Dean Shaw
Bottled: March 2021
Total Production: 950 bottles
Cellaring: Up to 10 years
pH 3.55 -- TA 5.9 g/l Alc 12.5%