Hangtime wines demonstrate the superior quality of Pinot Noir & Chardonnay from appellations where grapes spend long periods of “hangtime” ripening on the vine. A long hangtime in the vineyards contributes to concentrated flavor. Winemaking that focuses on the flavors of the grapes allows us to deliver delicious wines that express the appellation of origin, and the uniqueness of site.
Appellation
Marlborough is located on the northeast corner of New Zealand’s South Island. The grapes in our 2005 Hangtime New Zealand Pinot Noir are sourced from vineyards located throughout the Wairau Valley area, encompassing the stony, free- draining soils of the Waimakiriri with the clay based contours of the Upper terraces.
2005 Growing Season
The 2005 harvest proved to be an excellent one for the inaugural vintage of Hangtime Marlborough, New Zealand, Pinot Noir. Marlborough was threatened by cool weather at flowering in December and rain prior to vintage. However, fine weather followed and from early January onwards, the growing conditions were ideal, producing high quality fruit. The Indian Summer during the main harvest month of April was a great finish to the ripening season. Harvest was reasonably fast and smooth lasting approximately four days in April. This month was also the second driest on record. An early autumn frost in late April resulted in a ‘harvest now’ call that sped up the already quick harvest.
Wine Details
After a long cool ripening period, the hand-harvested grapes were fermented in open-top fermenters before the juice was transferred into older barrels for fourteen months aging. The subtle oak, ripe cherry flavors and hint of soft tannin have combined to offer a friendly fruit-forward style of Pinot Noir.
Wine Stats
| Alcohol: | 14% |
| pH: | 3.68 g/l |
| T/A: | 5.6 g/l |
Our pinot noir is a perfect complement, rather than a competitor, to the fine works of the Chef.
Download 2005 New Zealand Pinot Noir Tasting Notes (PDF)