Babichs Black Label Pinot Noir Marlborough 2021

"Black Label" Pinot Noir — a charming dry red wine made from selected Pinot Noir grapes grown in the "Cowslip Valley Vineyard" in the Wairau Valley and "Headwaters Vineyard" in the Waihopai Valley. The grapes are harvested mechanically. At the winery, the grapes undergo destemming but not crushing. A portion of the harvest undergoes carbonic maceration. The remainder is fermented in open steel tanks with wild yeasts. Post-fermentation maceration promotes better integration of tannins. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for several months in 225-liter oak barrels. After light fining with egg whites, the wine is bottled. The wine has a potential aging capacity of at least 7 years. The 2021 vintage was unique, one of the earliest on record. The growing season was dry, as were the previous two, and the load on the vines was exacerbated by strong winds. The combination of early frosts and adverse weather conditions during flowering led to lower yields and smaller bunch sizes than usual. The disease incidence this year was incredibly low, allowing for healthy fruit with good concentration, tannins, and color. Winemakers were thrilled with the concentration and intensity of the 2021 wines and are confident that this vintage will be unforgettable.