Lethbridge Mietta Pinot Noir 2019

Mietta Pinot Noir, named after one of Maree Collis and Ray Nadeson’s daughters, is Lethbridge’s flagship Pinot Noir, sourced entirely from the property’s original Pinot Noir block. Otherwise known as the ‘Top Block’ and located on the eastern part of the property, these were the first vines to go into the ground when the replanting began in the mid-‘90s. “It’s a block planted by PhDs”, quips Ray, referencing the assistance from friends and colleagues when they were starting out. The low-yielding block is planted entirely to the MV6 clone on black clay, basalt and limestone soils.

2019 was a year that required Ray to hold his nerve when it came to picking. After a quick, hot start prompted many to get all their fruit off in a hurry, Ray waited before the weather settled and cooled, allowing the fruit to reset to a long, slow and even ripening pattern. The fruit was picked by hand and fermented spontaneously in open-top vessels with 80% whole bunches. The wine matured for 11 months in new wood and three years in bottle before release. The notes below speak for themselves.