RIPOSTE Pinot Noir, 'The Sabre', Riposte by Tim Knappstein 2008 The Winemaker Tim Knappstein Tim Knappstein stands tall among Australia’s elite winemakers; a third generation vigneron with 40 years’ experience producing wines of finesse and excellence. Tim commenced winemaking in Clare, South Australia, with the renowned Knappstein family owned Stanley Wine Company. Within a decade, Tim had won more than 500 show awards, gold medals and trophies for the company’s premium Leasingham range, though his unrequited passion for cool climate wines led Tim to the Adelaide Hills in 1981, where he planted the first vineyard in the Lenswood district. Respected as one of Australia’s most informed and experienced cool climate vignerons, Tim has judged at regional, state, national and international wine shows since 1975, and is currently chairman of judges at the Cowra Wine Show and National Cool Climate Wine Show in Bathurst, New South Wales. Tim Knappstein’s hand-crafted wines continue to attract the highest accolades. Verifying his expertise as a cool climate wine craftsman, Tim’s pinot noir from the Adelaide Hills has won trophies on seven of the 11 times it has been entered in the Adelaide Hyatt Advertiser Wine Awards. Working closely with selected growers to obtain the highest quality fruit, Tim’s vast knowledge and expert skills enable him to produce highly individual cool climate wines of undisputed premium quality; evident throughout the impressive Riposte portfolio of wines. Tim also consults to a small selection of wineries. THE WINE ‘The Sabre’ Pinot Noir is full and rich striking out with deep berry notes and lunges of spice that combined with thrusts of toasty vanilla oak that elegantly assault the nose. Thick slices of dark cherry and blueberry parry with kirsch and floral notes on the palate leading to an opulent finish of soft velvety tannins. Delicious to drink young but five years in the dungeon will reward your patience. THE LABEL The dictionary definition of ‘Riposte’ (pronounced rip-posst) is comeback, reply, retort, or in the context of the sport of fencing a quick counter stroke. After overa decade of confusion about his name ‘Riposte’ was chosen as an appropriate name for a ‘comeback label’ by Tim Knappstein. TECHNICAL DATA Made in small batches, all cold soaked and all hand plunged in open fermenters.100% malolactic fermentation aged in French oak barriques (10% new) for ten months prior to blending. Bottled in March 2009 after minimal filtration. Closure; screw cap. Variety 100% Pinot Noir Geographical Indication 100% Adelaide Hills – Lenswood sub region Picking dates From 7th March to 18th March 08 Sugar at harvest 13.4 - 13.8° Baumé Clones MV6; DSV12; 115; D&V2 Alcohol 14.0% pH 3.51 Acid 6.73 g/l Residual Sugar <2.9g/l Cellaring potential 3-6 years VITICULTURE The grapes are from one of the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in the Adelaide Hills, in the high cool Lenswood sub region. A single vineyard wine. Awards; 2006 - Winner Hyatt Advertiser SA Wine of the Year Award Pinot Class (seventh win for a Pinot Noir made by Tim) Reviews; 2008 - (94) James Halliday Wine Companion 2007 - 4 Stars Matthew Jukes 50 Greatest New World Pinot – Decanter 2007 - (94) Campbell Mattinson 2006 - (93) James Halliday Wine Companion 2009 Find this wine at www.winestore.co.uk Price: £18.86 (Including VAT at 20%)