Release of the 2016 Amungula Creek Pinot Noir - SOLD OUT

Sorry if you missed out, but we sold out at noon of this year's Amungula Creek Pinot Noir. There will be a bit more Maipenrai available in October, and so the time window for getting an order in should hopefully be more than a few hours.

If you live in Canberra, I always give Plonk, at the Fyshwick Markets, a few cases, which they sell by the bottle (2 bottle max, usually). They should have it starting June 16th until they sell out. You should call to check availability (02 6260 6336)

Brian Schmidt

We have started the process of releasing our 2016 Amungula Creek Pinot Noir. Wine availability is tight this vintage, for which I am sorry. If you miss out, the Maipenrai Pinot Noir will be released in October, and should be a bit easier to get as we release it in boxes of 6.  

Wines will be released to

• Gold and Silver Customers on 3 June
• Bronze Customers on 11 June

2016 Amungula Creek Pinot Noir

2015/16 season started off with good spring rains, typical temperatures, and therefore a welcome return to an October 1st budburst. From there the weather suddenly became abnormally warm, with temperatures in the 30s in the first week of October, with the October average high temps more than 5C warmer than the long-term average - smashing the previous records. The warmth continued through mid December with Temps 3C warmer than average during this period, and we, unfortunately, received very little rain. This caused some unwelcome water stress in our vines and reaked havoc with our yields. The weather moderated from mid-December through mid February, and while still above average, was more or less in the zone of normality. Things heated up again in mid Feb and remained warm through vintage.

The ferments were uncomplicated, and we used 15-25% whole bunches given the ripeness of the stems, and pressed the wines after 15 days. Stored in French Oak (30% new) for 22 months - the wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

The 2016 Amungula Creek is made from fruit from two nearby Canberra District vineyards. It has a ruby/garnet colour, with a potent and spicy nose. On the medium bodied palate, a wild and complex savoury character is rounded out with a medium backbone of tannin and spiced fruit. A pinot noir through and through, the wine is really meant to be consumed with food. It will provide immediately drinking pleasure, and remain at peak over the next 5 years.