2023 Pfeiffer Gamay

$25.00

Produced for over three decades, the Pfeiffer Gamay is truly a Pfeiffer “pflagship”. Gamay, more affectionately known throughout the world as Beaujolais, is produced by only a handful of growers in Australia.

Availability

Available

Vintage

2023

Seal

A screw cap been used on our 2023 Gamay to maximise its flavour and freshness and to elimate the chances of cork taint.

Cellar

Enjoy both chilled or at room temperature, now until 2027.

Vegan Friendly

Vegan NO | Vegetarian YES

Yeast

EC1118 – A neutral yeast, commonly used in the production of sparkling wine.

Allergens

Contains Sulphites and Egg

Technical Details

Res. Sugar 1.77 g/L
pH 3.45
TA 5.56 g/L
Alcohol 13.7% v/v

Not Reviewed Yet

SILVER: Rutherglen Wine Show 2023

Fruit Sourcing

Rutherglen

Harvest Date

March 17th 2023 and March 31st 2023

The 2023 growing season was one of the most challenging of the last decade, with above average winter and well above average spring rainfall falling. The well-publicised flooding through the Murray River system saw the river peak at Corowa at 8.07m on November 15th, causing severe flood damage to our Sunday Creek vineyard, and minor flood damage to our Carlyle vineyard.

We lost access to the Sunday Creek vineyard from the 27th October to the 9th December, being unable to drive any vehicles or spray the vineyard during this critical time. Parts of the vineyard were completely underwater for weeks, with the vines dropping their leaves and fruit completely.

Yields have been impacted accordingly, with certain blocks being 80-90% down, and other blocks 30-40% down.

The rain continued throughout December and January, until we finally received some respite from it, with no rain falling at all in February, just in the knick of time for the onset of harvest. Harvest started on the 1st March, with Rutherglen Chardonnay grapes, around 3 weeks later than usual.

The harvest took some time to gain momentum, with scattered rain events and the cooler season causing many delays in picking. We started hitting our vintage straps towards the end of March and into April, with harvest finishing in the second week of May.

Quality is variable, which is indicative of the season, however there are always some gems in the cellar worth discovering.  We are very pleased with the quality of the Chardonnay this vintage, it has been a real highlight, while the earlier picked parcels of Shiraz are looking very strong, as well as one outstanding parcel of Muscat, picked just before the Easter rain event.

The Pfeiffer Gamay 2023 was blended from fruit from our old vines (planted in 1976) and our young vines (planted in 1989). The two blocks ripen at different times, so were picked separately, but treated in the same way in the winery.

The Gamay grapes were hand-picked into airtight bins. Yeast and CO2 gas were added and the bins sealed. The grapes commenced fermentation in their whole bunches (including stalks) in these airtight conditions (known as carbonic maceration). After around 14-20 days, the bins were opened and the grapes crushed by foot (a process called “pigeage”).

Fermentation continued with pigeage carried out 3 times a day. After 3 days of pigeage, the wine was pressed into a stainless steel tank for completion of alcoholic fermentation.

Each parcel was kept separate until the completion of alcoholic fermentation. The two parcels were then blended, fined and clarified prior to bottling in June 2023 to lock in fruitfulness and freshness.

Our 2023 Gamay has a highly perfumed bouquet of summer berry and red cherry fruit. Traditional foot treading methods are used to create soft tannins and good mid-palate weight. These characters are complemented by a savouriness on the palate and a long finish.

Pfeiffer Gamay can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature and is the perfect accompaniment to most foods.

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