2022 Butcher’s Hill ‘Oronsay’ Pinot Noir

3.55

6.05g/L

Matured in 50% new oak using Sirugue barrels for 11 months.

The lead-up to 2022 vintage included one of the wettest winters on record, a cool drying spring into summer with high humidity. All these factors led to healthy canopies and bunch numbers. The cool conditions, especially around the time of flowering resulted in some poor fruit-set in earlier flowering varieties. This delivered a combination of small and large size berries to form reducing the overall yields and intake in those varieties. The vintage started a couple of days later than usual, but with the high humidity/ lowered diurnal range, our late ripening varieties were picked slightly earlier than usual. Overall, a quality vintage.

The Butchers Hill Vineyard located in Richmond at the historic Belmont Lodge was established in 2003. The vineyard is a prominent feature to the Richmond landscape as it protrudes from the borders of the town. The steep north facing slope of this site starting from 30m-100m above sea level means that it receives some very long sunlight hours, protection from cold southern winds and increased drainage of soils. The ferricrete attribute of the soils not only hold heat and water longer as they are darker but the iron oxide also interacts with the production of flavonoids in the fruit and typically produces wines that are complex and robust. There are currently 6ha of vine planted on this property in total.

The fruit was hand-picked and 80% whole bunch fermented. The 20% destemmed portion was placed on the bottom of the fermenter. Minimal pump overs. 18 days on skins in total. XR yeast used. Matured in 50% new oak using Sirugue barrels for 11 months.

Fragrant aromas of cranberries and vanilla with a dusting of allspice on the nose. Sour cherries, allspice and forest floor continues through on the palate. Finishes with well-integrated tannins and layered complexity.

2022 Butcher’s Hill Oronsay Tech Sheet.pdf