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Perfumed aromas of apricots, nectarines and green pears. A rich mid-palate displaying mild oak influence. The wine finishes dry and crisp with lingering hints of warming spice.
The growing season for the 2023 vintage saw an early budburst with high growing degree days resulting in the earliest harvest ever. 2023 provided some challenging growing conditions but good canopy and vineyard management and many extra hours amongst the canopy in the lead up to harvest produced clean ripe fruit at harvest time. Great flavours colour and balance across the varietals.
Pinot Gris is the new variety in the vineyard for Borthwick Estate, planted in the springs of 2006 and 2007, we chose some of the newest planting material in New Zealand and grafted on to a rootstock that makes the vine work hard to access nutrients and water. The struggle of the vines allows us to restrict the crop load to a minimum, practicing extensive shoot and fruit thinning to ensure the vine is balanced. Acidity is a key factor when choosing to harvest our Pinot Gris; picking decisions are made to ensure there is an acid structure to the wine.
The harvested fruit was processed quickly into tank to retain the vibrant aromas and fresh acidity. The juice is then split into two parcels, one of which is run into older French oak barrels, while the other remains in tank. The tank portion is fermented slow and cool to retain the varietal characters of Pinot Gris, while the barrel ferment is undertaken at warm temperatures to build palate weight. The wines are aged on yeast lees for nine months before blending, fining and filtration.
Established in 1996, proudly family owned and managed, Borthwick Vineyard produces wines that are a direct reflection of the Gladstone region, New Zealand. Ancient stony, alluvial soils, a cool climate, sustainable practices and minimal intervention in the vineyard and winery, mean our wines display distinctive single vineyard characteristics.
