Wine Article
2004 Three Miners Pinot Noir Earnscleugh Valley
Last edited on 2/20/2010 by keste13
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"Three Miners grow their grapes at two sites - the 'Home' Block on McPherson Road and, approx. 3km away, the 'Terrace' Block on Earnscleugh Road, towards the historic township of Clyde. The Home Block started life as a sheep farm, and in 1982 was converted to horticulture, growing mainly stone fruit and some pip fruit. The land was purchased by Three Miners in 2000 for the purpose of establishing a vineyard. The 2-tiered Terraces Block was acquired in 2002 (also converted from stone and pip fruit) and 12Ha of Pinot Noir was planted using clones 5, 6, 114, 115, 667, 743 and 777."
"The discovery of gold drove miners to prospect much of Central Otago in the 1860's. More than 200 miners panned and cradled its gold bearing sands on the West Bank of the Clutha River, now bordering Three Miners Vineyards. The 2 sites are nestled amidst the Old Man Range and the Clutha River at Earnscleugh, near the town of Alexandra, New Zealand. Soils at both sites are very similar, being well-drained Earnscleugh soil - loess or loamy silt over wind-blown alluvial schist, derived from the Fraser River. The schist in the soil profile provides good drainage, and low to medium vigour potential."
"The 2004 Three Miners win came from low yielding vines, it is a bit darker on the nose at this stage, with more blackcurrant, blackberry, thyme, doris plum aromatics than the 2003, less forest floor character in its youth, however, it will develop in the next 18 months. The wine is tighter due to its youth and also its screwcap enclosure and needs a little time to open up."
"The discovery of gold drove miners to prospect much of Central Otago in the 1860's. More than 200 miners panned and cradled its gold bearing sands on the West Bank of the Clutha River, now bordering Three Miners Vineyards. The 2 sites are nestled amidst the Old Man Range and the Clutha River at Earnscleugh, near the town of Alexandra, New Zealand. Soils at both sites are very similar, being well-drained Earnscleugh soil - loess or loamy silt over wind-blown alluvial schist, derived from the Fraser River. The schist in the soil profile provides good drainage, and low to medium vigour potential."
"The 2004 Three Miners win came from low yielding vines, it is a bit darker on the nose at this stage, with more blackcurrant, blackberry, thyme, doris plum aromatics than the 2003, less forest floor character in its youth, however, it will develop in the next 18 months. The wine is tighter due to its youth and also its screwcap enclosure and needs a little time to open up."