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NOTES
Delatite is a small family run winery that was established in 1982 by Robert and Vivienne Ritchie and now run by their son David. Specialising in cool climate wines, especially white aromatics, it is sited on a picturesque rise overlooking the vineyards toward Mt Buller in North-east Victoria. As custodians of the land since the late nineteenth century, David and Catherine are committed to sustainable agricultural practices and winemaking with integrity. Since 2001 they have followed Biodynamic practices across all areas of vineyard operations and are applying for organic certification.
Delatite is best known for its aromatic whites that have won many trophies and medals over the years, as well as receiving great reviews around the world. Robert and Vivienne Ritchie planted the first vines in 1968, built the winery in 1982, and their daughter Rosalind was the winemaker from 1982 until her retirement in 2005. In late 2007 Robert and Vivienne’s son David purchased the winery from his parents and continues the family tradition. He’s always understood that this site is special and all of Delatite’s wines truly are a product of the terroir of the vineyard.
TASTING NOTES
Pinot Gris was first planted at Delatite in 1996 and the first vintage released was the 2001. It’s normally harvested between mid March and mid April and is a blend of our own fruit and that from the Klingsporn’s vineyard 15km to our south east. We pick at a variety of ripeness levels to ensure increased complexity of flavour and texture and I feel the wines have always been more in the Gris style rather than the Grigio! Up until the 2006 they were made in a very straightforward manner but since then they are 100% whole bunch pressed, 25-30% spends a few months in old barriques and the balance has 3-4 months on lees in tank.
The fruit shows rich flavours of pear, musk and some spice and the length and depth of fruit on the palate is balanced with fine acidity and it will develop beautiful honey tones in the bottle over the next 4 to 10 years.
REVIEWS
Delatite is well known for its gewürztraminer, and there’s more than a touch of gewurz-like aroma in this delicious pinot gris: rose-petal and exotic spices lead to a hit of fresh white grapes and citrus flavour in the mouth. Max Allen, The Weekend Australian Magazine, November 22-23 2008
A much truer gris style than the previous wine, richer, fuller and with deeper ripe pear and musk stick flavours, beginning to show added butterscotch and honey complexity on a beautifully balanced and textured palate, finishing fresh and clean with a lovely touch of savoury spice. 4 bottles- Excellent, Graeme Philips, The Sunday Tasmanian, October 5th 2008
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