In the vineyard
2008 was an excellent growing season at Folding Hill. There were no significant spring frost events and budburst commenced at the end of September. Flowering and fruitset were good and there was minimal disease pressure in the vineyard throughout the season. Berries and bunches were of an ideal size and the fruit had excellent flavours when it was picked on April the 16th 2008.
Clones UCD 5, UCD 6, Abel
Winemaking
Juice analysis
Bunches fully destemmed. After a 7 day cold soak fermentation commenced and was completed with both wild and innoculated yeasts. Fermentation was relatively hot and took 5-7 days. After a post fermentation maceration of 10-15 days the wines were run into barrel (approximately 1/3 new , mixture of French oak barriques, all medium toast) where they were kept for 10 months. Prior to bottling , wines from selected barrels were carefully blended with the remaining wines declassified.
Reviews & Awards
Bob Campbell MW - Tight, savoury wine with glycerol-coated tannins giving a sumptuous texture. Long with reasonably complex fruit and spice flavours. Quite a classy wine with the best yet to come. 88/100
Gourmet Traveller Wine Top 100 New Release 90/100
Michael Cooper - 4 stars
Decanter World Wine Awards - Silver Medal
International Wine Challenge - Silver Medal
Air New Zealand Wine Awards - Silver Medal
Post release development
This wine has continued to develop nicely in bottle and is now possibly approaching its peak at 5 years. An excellent accompaniment to food it has been listed at several of New Zealand's top restaurants and is currently available at Josh Emmet's Rata in Queenstown.