The third release from Shadowfax's pride and joy - and key to future cool-climate viticulture - Little Hampton Vineyard. At 700m above sea level, this is second highest and one of coolest vineyards in Macedon.
A long cool growing season in the Macedon Ranges. A settled flowering led to good crop levels. Careful canopy management and crop thinning were required. A late summer with warm days and cool nights allowed fruit to reach is full flavour ripeness, while retaining good acid structure. The 740 meters above sea level elevation site of Little Hampton has extra cool nights, helping to retain natural acidity in the grapes.
Hand harvested fruit was firmly whole bunch pressed to release the Pinot Gris full flavour profile. Natural ferment occurred in older French barrels. The wine was left to unwind and age slowly on its ferment lees to add generosity. After 9 months the wine was racked and filtered prior to bottling in December 2017.
This high altitude Pinot Gris displays great aromatic lift. Potpourri, orange blossom and citrus notes leap from the glass. The perfume is persistent and intriguing, always bringing you back for another sniff. White pear and orange sorbet flow onto the palate giving instant appeal. These fruit flavours are complexed with barrel ferment characters such as nougat. The fruits are enveloped with fine grapefruit pith texture giving extra intrigue. The rich flowing palate is long and intense that is finished off with great acidity and persistence. A great example high altitude cold climate Pinot Gris.