One of the most fascinating
experiments exploring ‘winemaker signature’ has been running over three
vintages. In 2006, three very talented
winemakers, passionate about Pinot Noir and burgundy wine, were given identical
parcels of fruit from the ‘Calvert’ Vineyard situated on Felton Road in Bannockburn
in Central Otago. Adrian Baker of Craggy
Range, Blair Walter of Felton Road
Winery and Mike Weersing of Pyramid
Valley then proceeded to
make the finest wine possible according to their philosophies and methods,
interpreting the style from the fruit received.
Each of the wines made were of very high quality, but differed markedly
in style. This was a wonderful insight
to ‘winemaker signature’ a concept that seems contrary to the current
fascination with site expression, also known in a general sense as ‘terroir’. 2007 was a vintage of tiny yields and the
‘Calvert’ experiment continued, but we were unable to co-ordinate a collection
of all three labels simultaneously.
The 2008 ‘Calvert’ Pinot Noirs
Regional Wines has the 2008
‘Calvert’ Pinot Noirs from Craggy Range, Felton
Road and Pyramid Valley
in stock and we invite you to explore how winemakers put their mark on the
wines they produce. Technical
information on each of the wines follow:
Craggy Range ‘Calvert’ Pinot Noir 2008
14.2% alc., pH 3.61, 5.5 g/l acidity.
15% whole bunch, indigenous yeast fermentation in open top oak tanks. Aged 10 months in 33% new French barriques,
bottled with filtration, but no fining.
Felton Road ‘Calvert’ Pinot
Noir 2008
14.0% alc. Approx. 20% whole cluster, indigenous yeast
fermentation in open top fermenters with a moderately long maceration on
skins. Aged 11 months in Burgundian
coopered French oak barrels, bottled without fining or filtering.
Pyramid Valley ‘Calvert’ Pinot Noir 2008
14.3% alc., pH 3.71. 25% whole cluster, 3-5 days ambient soak,
warm indigenous yeast fermentation, 27-28 day cuvaison. Aged 14 months in 25% new French barriques,
bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Click here to see Raymond’s tasting
notes of the three wines at the Felton
Road tasting with Blair Walter, conducted at
Regional on 13 October.
The ‘Calvert’ Vineyard
The Calvert Vineyard is located on Felton Road just 1 km east of Felton Road’s Elms
Vineyard. It measures 10.1 hectares and
is leased and managed biodynamically by Felton Road Wines. The vineyard has gentle north facing slopes
and the soil is comprised deep silt loams typical of Bannockburn.
Planting of the vineyard commenced in 1999 with Pinot Noir clones UCD5,
UCD6, AM10/5 and B115 in the Lodge Block to a density of 2,500 vines/ha. Aurum, Willows ans Springs were planted to
B667, B777 and B115 at 3,500 vines/ha in 2001 and the Home Block planted in
2003 to Riesling and Chardonnay. 8
hectares is planted to Pinot Noir. The
vineyard ripens consistently and earlier than Felton Road’s Elms due to its lower
elevation and range of rootstocks.