Hatter’s Hill is a selection of the best fruit from the vines on the hill blocks of Delta Vineyard, and this quality is further refined at blending, when only the best barrels are selected for this label.

Vinification

The fruit for this wine is sourced mainly from the hill blocks of our Delta Vineyard in the Waihopai Valley. The fruit block by block, clone by clone was harvested at optimum maturity and carefully transported to the winery where it was destemmed into small open top stainless steel fermentors. Each small batch was cold soaked for several days to aid in both colour and flavour extraction and stability. Cultured yeasts were used to carry out the primary alcoholic fermentation during which the fermenting must was hand plunged up to six times daily. At the end of ferment each batch was pressed to tank and a portion was racked off gross lees to new French oak. The wine was inoculated for malolactic fermentation and was aged for 10 months on lees before being blended, stabilised and then prepared for bottling.

Tasting Note

Colour: Dense Ruby

Aroma: This wine has fragrant aromas of Dawson cherries and ripe plums, integrated with lifted floral notes. Underlying hints of rich savoury toasty oak characters.

Palate: A medium bodied Pinot Noir, with a complex palate, rich flavours of ripe cherries and plums, complemented by smoky hints from French oak. Elegant tannins and well balanced acidity lead to a rich flavour that lasts..

Aging Potential: This wine is drinking beautifully now, and patient cellaring will be rewarded during the next 3-5years.