Country: Australia Region: Tasmania Varietal: Pinot Noir Vintage: 2012 Colour: Red Style: Dry Producer: Dalrymple Vineyards Description: The fruit was sourced from Cottage Block – an area well sheltered from the cool northwesterly winds, and therefore a slightly warmer microclimate than other blocks within the vineyard. Highly involved viticultural practices included hand pruning, selective shoot and leaf removal and the removal of slow ripening and second set bunches. Due to the block’s steep slope, picking occurred over two days. Parcels were then kept separate while 80% were de-stemmed and placed in small open fermenters. After natural fermentation, each parcel was drained and pressed separately, and the wine was then matured in French oak barriques (30 percent new) for nine months. Tasting Note: Medium pomegranate and garnet in colour, the Dalrymple 'Cottage Block' Pinot Noir has a complex, lifted nose, fruit of mulberry, brambles and confit raspberry. Fine fruits, including raspberry, blood plums and darker fruits, abound across the mid palate, giving great length. Food Matches: Australian Pinot Noir is a wonderfully versatile food wine. Just some of the various pairings are Comté, Gruyère, Duck, Game, Turkey, Salmon