Ninth Island, although often shrouded by ocean mists, the Island is visible from our Pipers Brook vineyard in northern Tasmania. The island name has been used for our range of fresh, vibrant early drinking style wines that capture the distinctive cool-climate flavours and nature of Tasmania. The 2010 growing season was characterised by almost perfect growing conditions for flowering and fruit set, followed by long warm summer ripening days in the season. As a result of well balanced vines, with small bunches and berries, this has contributed to an intensely perfumed Pinot Noir which has achieved lush full flavour ripeness with soft delicate aromatics, and balanced by fine well-integrated tannins.
The grapes were grown on a mixture of Vertosol soils (Black Cracking Clays), characteristic of our Tamar Valley vineyards, and Ferrosols (Volcanic soils), from our Pipers River vineyards. Both these soil types have an excellent water holding capacity, offering a steady supply of moisture and nourishment to the vines through out the growing season.
Our aim with this rich and expressive pinot noir style is to bring all of the sensual delicate flavours and delights of pinot noir to a peak at an early stage of the wine’s life, while offering a lush round and textured full body palate. To achieve this, the grapes, once picked, are immediately de-stemmed and crushed before being fermented in a combination of Vinimatic and open vat ferments. The grape must is then inoculated and fermented at between 25-30°C for a period of 7 to 12 days before being pressed off into stainless steel vessels. The wine then completes full malolactic fermentation and is then bottled early under screw cap. This allows the wine to attain a style that is both intensely perfumed with distinctive soft velvety tannins and rich, fresh, vibrant fruit.
Vibrant ruby red with subtle purple hue. Lifted aromas of cherry, sweet cranberries, mulberry and pomegranate, a fragrant perfume of violets and rose petal, distinctively Ninth Island, all nicely entwined on the finish with a faint background of mocha coffee/ chocolate and undertones of pepper berry spice. A wine made for enjoyment, beautiful bright lift of flavours, stylishly support the palate. Concentrated and long, with the finer qualities of early drinking Pinot Noir. At first the taste is supple round and delicate, but soon bursts with richness and power as the delicious flesh and flavours fill the mouth. Sweet lifted fruit on the middle palate, finely balanced by integrated tannins and a long captivating finish that lingers.
Bright colour; bright red cherry bouquet, offset by herbaceous notes of mint and spice; the palate is driven by taut acidity, and almost gravelly tannins to conclude. Alcohol:13.5%; Drink By: 2014; Rating: 90 Points; Price:$23.50; James Halliday