Description
Maree Collis and Ray Nadeson are not your average winemaker/owners of a boutique winery. Both were initially trained as research scientists and hold PhD degrees in chemistry and medicine, respectively. Mid career they made the decision to pursue their alternate passion and together with friend Adrian Thomas established Lethbridge Wines in 1996. Both Maree and Ray completed their winemaking degree at Charles Sturt University after which Ray concluded “winemaking is not really that different to science, both are creative and both involve 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration”.
Not surprisingly, the site at Lethbridge was selected based on scientific principles such as soil type, degree days and other climatic indicators, yet after purchasing the property in Lethbridge they discovered an ancient old wooden fermentation vat in one of the old sheds. Further investigation revealed that site had originally been planted by Swiss vignerons in the 1870’s before the scourge of phylloxera decimated the Geelong wine region. This story is compelling in the connection between traditional wisdom and modern science.
The focus of Lethbridge Wines is to produce wines that are textural, savoury and reveal characters true to variety and terroir. The wines of Lethbridge are generally single varietal wines or mirror a traditional European blend. The winemaking team, led by Ray Nadeson, are committed to excellence. The fruit, if not estate grown, is from selected special sites tended by passionate people. The barrels are directly imported, with Ray even visiting the forests with the Coopers to select the trees to be felled and the wines are benchmarked with the best in the world. Each vintage something new is learned.
While best known for the varieties of the Geelong region, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz, Lethbridge also produce a wide range which includes Riesling, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Merlot, Sangiovese and more, with the most recent exciting addition to the vineyard and cellar being Gamay.
About this wine: This Pinot Noir is Lethbridge’s representation of the broader Geelong region, marrying fruit from their own site in the Moorabool Valley with four other sites from the Valley and the Bellarine Peninsula. The Hat Rock vineyard in Bellarine was planted in 1996 on clay and limestone soils and is home to clones MV6, 114 and 115. Suma, also in Bellarine and facing the ocean, was planted in 1999 to MV6 on thin red clay soils. The Moorabool Valley sites include Hillside Haven, planted in 1998 on basalt granite soils, and Springbank, planted on red clay over limestone in 2001 to MV6, 114 and 115. Then there’s the Lethbridge home vineyard. Planted in 1996, it’s the Moorabool Valley’s coolest site. It sits at 270 metres with black clay topsoil on bluestone and honeycomb basalt above limestone bedrock.
Each parcel fermented separately in open-top vessels with high proportions of bunches (approximately 50% overall). The ferments were kept cool and handled gently over 20 days, with once-a-day punch-downs giving way to just a wetting of the cap as the days progressed. The wine was gently pressed and matured for 11 months in 40% new wood.
Newly released 2023! Review for 2022 .. 93 points, Philip Rich, The Wine Companion “From four separate vineyards in Geelong that all, interestingly, make single-vineyard wines as well! About 50% whole bunches and 50% new French barriques. Bright crimson. Immediately appealing with its aromas of freshly picked cherries and floral notes. Red-fruited and spicy on the palate, gentle tannins and Lethbridge’s trademark bright acidity make this a wine to enjoy in the short- to medium-term.”
RRP $61 Our Special Price $48.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
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