2016 Brut Rosé

Winemaker

Frieda Henskens

Grape/s  

Chardonnay 69%, Pinot Noir 31 %

GI

Tasmania

Site(s)

Multi-regional blend primarily Pipers River and Coal River Valley.

Vintage notes

With above average temperatures through-out the growing season and a dry Spring and Summer, conditions in 2016 were ideal for flowering and fruit set. Despite widespread rain in January and again in Autumn, generating incidences of bunch rots and powdery mildew, vintage 2016 produced both above average yields (for Tasmania) and clean, high-quality fruit at low to moderate Baumé with high natural acidity, and excellent varietal characteristics.

Vineyard notes

 All fruit was sourced from mature vines from vineyards established in the 1980s. The Chardonnay was primarily from two vineyards in Pipers River.

Both of which are on clay-loam to clay soils derived from deeply weathered tertiary basalt and subject to the influence of Bass Strait. Whilst the Pinot Noir is from a Coal River Valley vineyard on well-drained, light sandy soils over sandstone that enjoys the moderating influence of nearby Pittwater.

Winemaking: All fruit was hand-picked. Each individual parcel (two of Chardonnay, one of Pinot Noir) was gently pressed as whole bunches. Juices then cold-settled and carefully racked prior to fermentation in stainless steel. One of the chardonnay parcels underwent partial malolactic fermentation in old, small format barrels prior to blending.

Use of reserve wines: The initial blend contained 3.5 % of reserve wine from 2010.  At disgorging, the liqueur d’expedition included a tiny proportion (0.3%) of wine from the 2023 vintage.

Almost eight years on lees, disgorged 8 Feb 2024, 2.5 g/L dosage, TA 8.52 g/L.

Closure: Amorim cork

ABV: 12.1%

Production size

450 individually numbered bottles.

Accolades