Bress 2009 Silver Chook Yarra Valley Macedon Pinot Noir

The Name

Whilst living and winemaking in the Yarra Valley, I discovered the joys of breeding and showing chickens.  This passion led me to visit France in 1996 to witness first hand their traditional methods of breeding chickens and I dedicate our wines to the famous chickens of France and what they represent – artisan production using traditional, age old methods.

The Vineyards

This Pinot Noir was grown at three vineyards in the Yarra Valley and also three vineyards in the Mount Macedon Ranges.  The predominant Pinot Noir clone used in this wine is MV6, with small amounts of Mariafeldt, 114, 115 and D5V12. The average vine age for this wine is approximately 13 years old.

Winemaking

My winemaking belief is that good fruit should be treated gently and with minimal intervention.  The Bress 2009 ‘Silver Chook’ Yarra Valley and Macedon Pinot Noir was treated in this manner.  A combination of whole bunch and gently crushed fruit fermentations occurred in open fermenters.   Fermentation was slow and was conducted by indigenous yeast strains. Hand plunging occurred three times a day.  Post pressing the wine was transferred to French oak hogsheads for malolactic fermentation.  Following malolactic fermentation the wine was barrel to barrel racked.  Prior to bottling the wine was transferred to tank and allowed to settle. 

This Bress 2009 ‘Silver Chook’ Yarra Valley Macedon Pinot Noir was bottled using a Screw Cap closure. 

Using a Screw Cap closure is our attempt to ensure that our wine is presented free of cork characters (good or bad) and that the full aroma and flavour of this wine is expressed.  

Tasting Notes

Colour:  Youthful, vibrant and deep garnet with a very slight cloudiness.  This is due to the fact that the wine has not been filtered. This adds to the richness and flavour of the wine.  Aroma:  The wine offers a complex array of fruit aromas of plum, cherry and forest floor.   The oak aromas are of char and spice. 

Palate:  This Pinot Noir has fruit flavours of plum, cherry and forest floor.  The oak characters are integrated into the wine and add a savoury richness. 

Whilst enjoyable now, this wine will reward careful cellaring for up to 3 years.

Please enjoy this traditionally made hand crafted wine.