Two Paddocks

The Fusilier

Two Paddocks

The Fusilier

“We grow our premium Two Paddocks Pinot Noir entirely on our four small vineyards in Central Otago. In some exceptional vintages, listening carefully, we realize that one of these sites may have something extraordinary to say in its own right. It is only then that we will make one of these very rare single vineyard wines.” Sam Neill, Proprietor

Wine Production

Hand picked and sorted in the vineyard. 65% whole-bunch fermentation in a 3.5 ton wooden cuve. 5 day cold soak. No commercial yeast added, ferment temperature peaked at 32° – post fermentation transferred to medium and light toast French barriques, 30% new oak and the balance in one and two year fill barrels, for 11 months maturation. Light filtration prior to bottling.  

Tasting Notes

Bright bramble, red currant, violet and wild herb aromatics leads to a spicy, warmly textured mouthfeel, showing great elegance and depth. Great complexity and drive.

“We grow our premium Two Paddocks Pinot Noir entirely on our four small vineyards in Central Otago. In some exceptional vintages, listening carefully, we realize that one of these sites may have something extraordinary to say in its own right. It is only then that we will make one of these very rare single vineyard wines.” Sam Neill, Proprietor

Wine Production

Hand picked and sorted in the vineyard. 65% whole-bunch fermentation in a 3.5 ton wooden cuve. 5 day cold soak. No commercial yeast added, ferment temperature peaked at 32° – post fermentation transferred to medium and light toast French barriques, 30% new oak and the balance in one and two year fill barrels, for 11 months maturation. Light filtration prior to bottling.  

Tasting Notes

Bright bramble, red currant, violet and wild herb aromatics leads to a spicy, warmly textured mouthfeel, showing great elegance and depth. Great complexity and drive.

Vineyard & Production Info

Production area/appellation:
Central Otago
Vineyard name:
The Fusilier Vineyard
Vineyard size:
5.6 hectares acres
Soil composition:
Alluvial; Silt, Sand, and Gravel
Elevation:
275 meters feet
Year vineyard planted:
2000
Harvest time:
March 14-April 11, 2018
Bottles produced of this wine:
3,600
Certifying Organizations:
Certified Ogranic - BioGro NZ

Winemaking & Aging

Prefermentation Technique:
5 day cold soak
Varietal composition:
100% Pinot Noir
Fermentation container:
Wooden Cuve
Malolactic fermentation:
yes
Type of aging container:
Barriques
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
11 months
Age of Aging Container:
30% New
Total SO2:
41

Analytical Data

pH level:
3.51
Acidity:
5.8 g/L
Alcohol:
13.5 %
Dry extract:
25.2 g/L
Total SO2:
41
Residual sugar:
0 - 1 g/L

About the Vineyard

The Fusilier Vineyard is named in honor of Sam’s father, Major Dermot Neill, a soldier in the Royal Irish Fusilier Regiment for twenty years before returning home to Dunedin, New Zealand, where he ran the family Wine & Spirit business, Neill & Co. Planted entirely in 2000, The Fusilier is 5.6 hectares of pinot noir, on rolling northerly facing terraces at the western end of Felton Rd and bordered by the vineyard of the same name. Soils on the terraces consist of deep alluvial fans, which are made up of varying depths of silt, sand and gravel layering all derived from mountainous raw schist parent material.