BALNARRING
Balnarring is a foothills vineyard situated East of Merricks and atop the Tubbarubba plateau at an elevation of 95 metres. The combination of a Northerly aspect and lower elevation means that this vineyard ripens a week earlier than Merricks but still two weeks later than nearby Tuerong. The character of the wines is somewhere between Merricks and Tuerong, with riper flavours but still excellent retained acidity.
The Soil
The soil in this vineyard is known as Bittern Complex which is a thin layer of grey sandy topsoil over a yellowish chromosol clay. Moderately fertile but with good water holding capacity, these soils produce low crops of concentrated character.
The Wine
It's slightly warmer as you come down the hill and Balnarring can produce wonderfully opulent Pinots that still manage to retain a core of refreshing acidity. The 2018 Balnarring shows typical pure black cherry and blackcurrant aromas. The palate shows a lovely balance between acid and tannins with a powerful yet silky mid-palate given focus by soft persistent tannins.
