Two Paddocks The First Paddock

Two Paddocks The First Paddock Pinot Noir bottle image

Wine Description

“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

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Acclaim
“The 2021 The First Paddock Pinot Noir is earthy and leads with cigar box, lotus leaf, freshly cracked tobacco (not that I smoke, but I well remember the smell of a freshly opened bag of Champion Ruby). In the mouth, the red fruit tends to cascade off the shelf of spice and leaf. This is not the most plush or the most seductive of the Pinots here, but seduction can come in many forms ... the swirl of leaf and the flourish of dried spice has got me.” — Wine Advocate, Dec 2023
“Energetic and lively red fruits of strawberries, cranberries and rose petals followed by ground cloves, tea leaves and crushed rocks. Medium- to full-bodied with crisp acidity and firm yet finely-grained tannins. Plenty of fruit. Very precisely framed and focused. Lingering toasty finish. Open. From organically grown grapes.” — James Suckling, Nov 2023
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Vineyard & Production Info
Production area/appellation:
Central Otago
Vineyard name
The First Paddock
Vineyard size
12 acres acres
Soil composition
Schist, loess
Elevation:
1300 feet feet
Year vineyard planted:
1993
Harvest time:
March 14-April 11, 2018
Bottles produced of this wine:
1,800
Certifying Organizations:
Certified Organic, BioGro NZ
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
100% Pinot Noir
Fermentation container:
French oak cuve
Type of aging container:
Barrels
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
14 months
Age of Aging Container:
30% New
Total SO2
44
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.52
Acidity:
6.1 g/L
Alcohol:
12.5 %
Dry extract:
27.2 g/L
Total SO2
44
Residual sugar:
0 - 1 g/L
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Wine Production

Hand harvested and sorted then a 50% whole bunch indigenous ferment in a dedicated First Paddock French oak cuve. Matured in 30% new French oak with the balance in older wood for an extended 14 months of barrel maturation. 

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About the Vineyard

The First Paddock is our original much loved Two Paddocks vineyard. Planted in 1993, it is now one of the older blocks in Central Otago. Superbly situated in the midst of upper Gibbston, planted in carefully selected Burgundian clone pinot noir vines and meticulously tended. This is a thoughtfully crafted expression of our foundation site.  Sourced from the first twenty-five rows of Clone 5.