Cordero Barolo DOCG 2020 vs Neck Of The Woods Pinot Noir 2022

Neck Of The Woods Pinot Noir 2022

Neck of the Woods Pinot Noir is an elegant expression from Bendigo, Central Otago, crafted to showcase the purity and finesse of this classic sub-region. The wine exudes a refined, understated charm, with persistent bright red fruit and a supple, graceful structure that reflects the unique terroir of Bendigo. Vineyards and Terroir The fruit is sourced from two distinct Bendigo sites. The lower site on the flat river terrace sits at 230m, planted on young loessial/alluvial soils formed near the Clutha River, mapped as Molyneux shallow sandy loam. The upper site on the sloped Chinaman’s Terrace rises from 320–380m and features glacial terrace soils with fine clay, schist, rock, and a deep layer of windblown loess. These contrasting vineyard sites provide a harmonious balance of richness, structure, and elegance. Viticulture The fruit is hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, with the lower (warmer) site picked first and the two clones co-fermented with 20% whole clusters. The upper, terraced site was harvested about a week later, fermented in two vessels with 15–25% whole clusters. Across all fermentations, the grapes spent an average of 25 days on skins, including approximately seven days of active fermentation. Winemaking After gentle pressing at 2 bar without press cuts, the wine was settled overnight and transferred to fine-grain French oak barrels for full malolactic fermentation and maturation. Around 28% new oak from Francois Frères, Mercurey, D&J, and Ana Selection coopers was used, with 11 months in barrel before blending and bottling. Tasting Notes On the nose, aromas of plum, dark cherry, red liquorice, and rosemary unfold beautifully, leading to a palate of raspberry, cassis, and bright red fruits. Fine tannins and enduring freshness lend an athletic yet supple structure, reflecting Bendigo’s classic elegance. The wine’s restrained richness and graceful complexity make it a truly “class in a glass.” Technical Information pH: 3.66 | Total Acidity: 5.4 g/L | Wh