The 2005 season provided cooler spring weather resulting in smaller than average yields due to the lower fruit set.   The summer and early autumn weather was warm and dry, and

ideal for ripening the grapes. The result was high quality fruit

with concentrated flavours and excellent structure.

The fruit which produced the 2005 Vavasour Pinot Noir was hand picked from low yielding, high quality vineyards in the Awatere Valley.  This wine comprises several premium clones including 115, 777 and AM10/5.

After traditional hand plunging techniques to extract colour and tannin during fermentation, this Pinot Noir was aged in French oak barriques for 9 months.

The 2005 Vavasour Pinot Noir is a deep garnet colour and shows aromatic cherry and spice on the nose.  The concentrated palate exhibits rich dark cherry flavours with a long, soft tannin finish.

This wine can be enjoyed now and over the next 3 to 4 years.