First Reserve Ready for Tri Nations Team

Misha’s Vineyard has released their first Reserve Pinot Noir produced during an exceptional 2008 vintage in Central Otago. This wine has also just been selected to represent New Zealand in the 2010 Tri Nations Wine Challenge.

Misha’s Vineyard ‘Verismo’ Pinot Noir 2008 has garnered many accolades from its sneak previews and now with selection into the Pinot Noir category of the Tri Nations Wine Challenge, the wine is proving its winning form. The ‘Verismo’ Pinot Noir 2008 is one of three wines from Misha’s Vineyard that has been chosen to represent New Zealand in this prestigious wine challenge with the others being Misha’s Vineyard ‘Limelight’ Riesling 2009 and Misha’s Vineyard ‘Dress Circle’ Pinot Gris 2009.

“We had a wonderful season in Central Otago in 2008 and the ‘Verismo’ Pinot Noir is a reflection of that season. It also reflects the distinct characteristics of the Bendigo sub-region with a spice-laden aroma which contains notes of liquorice and dark chocolate. It has a powerful broad spectrum palate which is balanced by a tight structure of supple but dense tannins” said Olly Masters, Winemaker for Misha’s Vineyard.

The 2008 season was noted for having excellent weather at flowering resulting in a great fruit set. After some cooler temperatures initially, the weather warmed to optimum levels of dry and relatively calm conditions. The vines at Misha’s Vineyard were managed down to just one bunch per cane yielding just 3.35 tonnes per hectare across all the Pinot Noir in order to maintain concentration.

Using 300 litre French oak Hogsheads, the Pinot Noir was held in oak barrels for a year. The final selection for Verismo was made by identifying superior ferments and barrels after which the wine was racked once and returned to oak for a further three months and bottled mid-winter without fining or filtration. ‘Verismo’ 2008 has 62% new oak and consists of Clones 5, 115 and 667. Misha’s Vineyard “Verismo” Pinot Noir 2008, of which only 126 cases (of 6) were produced, has been described by critics as “powerful’ and “well-structured” and has been tipped as a Pinot Noir with great aging potential of between 6-12 years.

As with the naming convention across the entire range of Misha’s Vineyard wines, the word ‘Verismo’ comes from Misha Wilkinson’s theatrical past. It was an artistic movement of the late 19th century originating in Italy and especially influential in grand opera where it was often referred to as the ‘golden age’ of opera. Operas of this period were based on contemporary life, including its sordid and violent aspects, and were always noted for having heightened emotions and passion with Puccini acknowledged as one of the period’s greatest exponents.

The retail price of Misha’s Vineyard ‘Verismo’ Pinot Noir 2008 is approx. NZ $60.