Villa Maria The Attorney Pinot Noir 2019

The Attorney Vineyard is situated in the Southern Valleys subregion of Marlborough.

Colder weather in spring led to a longer than usual flowering season, esulting in smaller bunches with tighter structure and smaller bunches. Summer temperatures were unusually mild for Marlborough, regulated by cooler easterly breezes and light cloud cover. Intermittent autumn rains slowed ripening which meant our harvest plans had to be flexible whilst we waited for dry weather periods and flavours to develop.

A north facing block on the dry eastern foothills of the Wairau Valley, planted in 2002. This sub-region receives minimal rainfall in the growing season and its deep clay soils provide perfect conditions to apply organic farming principles.

The grapes were 100% hand-picked and then chilled before gentle destemming. Fermentation took place in open top fermenters, after 5-7 days cold soaking, with indigenous yeasts. The wine spent 21-28 days on skins before being racked to barrel, 35% new and 65% seasoned French Oak, for 15 months maturation. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered after 9 months in tank, post-oak maturation.