2010 Marchand & Burch Mount Barrow Pinot Noir - Tasting Notes

Vintage Conditions
The 2010 vintage was another challenging yet rewarding vintage for the premium, southern grape growing regions of Western Australia.  Winter rainfall was close to the long term average. The growing and ripening seasons, while largely warm and dry were punctuated with rains and windy conditions that did affect set and subsequent yields in the Pinot Noir.
Warm, dry weather in late summer and early autumn delivered even ripening as the harvesting of Chardonnay continued throughout March. The mild end to the season saw all varieties ripen perfectly with high natural acidity and fine fruit structure.

Fruit Sourcing
The 2010 Mount Barrow Pinot Noir is sourced from the high north east facing ridge of the Mt Barrow vineyard in the Mt Barker sub-region of the Great Southern grape growing region of Western Australia. 
The unique attributes of this site include an elevation of 380 metres,  a planting density is 6,667 vines per hectare and shallow soils over rock with a high component of lateritic gravel.
The VSP canopy has extensive shoot and green bunch thinning to minimize yields and ensure even and full ripeness.

Fruit and Must Handling
The grapes are handpicked, chilled overnight then hand sorted to remove damage, disease and leaf material before gentle destemming to small rectangular open fermenters.
Pre fermentation cold soaking for 5 days extracts maximum colour and optimizes fruit flavour.

Fermentation
The natural yeast population of the vineyard dominates the fermentation, making for a more complex wine. Gentle hand plunging throughout the fermentation is conducted to manage the cap. Post fermentation skin maceration for up to 5 weeks builds structure and palate weight.

Maturation
The pressed wine is matured for 10 months in French oak barrique, approximately 45% new.

Wine Notes
The hue of the wine is medium garnet with a slight purple hue.
Aromas of red fruits and mushroom with scents of bouquet garni herbs and spices pervade the nose. This medium bodied wine has pinot noir typicity, balance, evenness and length.
The red cherry stone fruit sweetness has a savoury and herbal edge wrapped in a filigreed fine tannin structure of great finesse.

Cellaring
Whilst pretty and attractive in its youth, the wine will age with grace over the next 5 to 10 years.

Technical Notes 
Harvested in April 2010
pH 3.58, Titratable acidity 6.03, Alcohol 13%v/v