Malta Wine Producer - Malta Wines : Year

Antonin Noir

2005

General Description:

Dedicated to Marsovin’s late founder Anthony Cassar, affectionately known as Sur Tonin, Antonin Noir is a Private Estate Selection wine blended from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes harvested at the Marnisi Estate in Marsaxlokk, the first and the largest in the series of Marsovin’s privately owned Estates, intended for the production of premium wines. The fruity characteristics of cherries, blackcurrants and blueberries make this wine enjoyable in its youth while the ageing in French oak barrels gives it a velvety finish on the palate and excellent ageing potential.

Grape Varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc

The Vineyard & Training Systems

Marnisi estate in Marsaxlokk. 8.1 hectares of land under vine. Shallow terrarossa soil. Vertical trellis system with guyot training for Cabernet, Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and replacement cane pruning for Cabernet Franc. Controlled drip irrigation 6,250 vines per hectare.

Yield, Harvest & Vintage Conditions

52,253kg of grapes harvested.

Yield: 45.1 hectolitres per hectare.

Merlot hand harvested on 01/09/2005.
Cabernet Sauvignon hand harvested from 13/09/2005 till 14/09/2005. Cabernet Franc hand harvested on 15/09/2005.

The 2005 vintage, similarly to the previous vintage, was characterised by typical Central Mediterranean winter climatic conditions and cool summer temperatures which led to a slow maturation process and late harvesting, giving deep red, well structured, balanced wines.

Vinification

Destemming, 16 days maceration, temperature controlled fermentation. 12 months maturation in new french oak barrels

Wine Analysis: Acidity: 5.2g/l Alcohol: 13.4%

Peak Drinking: 2009 -2017

Food Matches

Marinated and smoked wild goose, sauteed breast of pheasant with cranberry glaze sauce

Tasting Notes:

Appearance

Deep intensity, a medium ruby core and a wide ruby rim with tinted long legs.

Nose

Distinguishable moderately intense developing aromas of mineral nature: tar, earthiness; oak, nutmeg, ginger, leather and ripe fruit: plums and black berries.

Palate

Good level of acidity matched with plentiful velvety ripe tannins. It is medium bodied with intense ripe berried fruit flavours: raspberries and cranberries, coupled by mineral hints of an earthy and stony nature. It has a silky creamy texture, with well-defined flavours of cinnamon, vanilla, leather, oak, generous alcohol finishing with a quite a remarkably long finish.

Conclusion

An elegant wine from a generous vintage, harmonious with ripe and mature fruit, complex aromas and velvety texture. It is ready to drink but will benefit from further ageing. 7-8 years.