2024 Atipico 'Under the Plum Tree' Chilled Red Field Blend
As always, Under the Plum Tree is a field blend of organic Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc, from a small block in Rapaura, Marlborough.
The wine gets its name from the pair of plum trees that dot the centre of the vineyard, where winemaker Jordan Hogg allows the grapes to naturally ferment in small vessels under the trees, amongst the vines - a term he playfully calls vinsitu.
The resulting wine is an absolute pleasure to drink. While light and fresh, it's front-loaded with intense cherry, raspberry and blood orange. The white grapes provide juiciness and structure, layering the wine with spice, woody herb, and delicate floral notes. The wine is expertly balanced (notoriously difficult for field blends) and complex while remaining very, very moreish.
Grapes:
87% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Blanc,
3% Pinot Gris
Winemaking:
Handpicked by friends and family on the 22nd of March. The grape clusters were placed in small fermenters in the vineyard block, under the autumnal branches of the plum tree.
A gentle foot stomp on the bottom layer of fruit to release some juice was followed by wild fermentation beginning a few days later. A ferment influenced by the ambient temperatures, environment and season.
After 9 days in the vineyard the wine was moved a few hundred metres to the winery to be gently drained and pressed. It was aged in old barriques for 6 months, before being racked with a small 40ppm addition of sulphur dioxide. Bottled unfined and unfiltered in
September 2024. A naturally occurring sediment is expected. Chill bottle upright prior to enjoying.
Awards:
