Chimera Sparkling Pinot Noir Rose 2023
$45.00 Inc GST
Chimera is only made in special seasons. Our 2018 Chimera was a sell-out.
We have just released our delightful 2023 sparkling pinot noir rose – in time for Christmas 2025.
Chimera is pronounced ki-m-air-a, but we like to say “shimmerer”.
In Greek mythology, a chimera was a bizarre fire-breathing hybrid creature – child of Typhoeus and Echidna and sibling of Cerberus and the Lernaean Hydra. It was usually depicted as an animal with a lion as the front part, a goat in the middle, and a serpent as the tail.
In genetics, a chimera is formed when two individual cells, or clones, become one organism with two genetically distinct tissues – a bit like blending wine. Our 2023 Sparkling Pinot Noir Rose is a delicious aperitif and is ideal for the summer season.
This sparkling pinot noir rose wine is made from our Abel pinot noir clone. 2023 was a cool year and we had a lot of trouble ripening our pinot noir. We think this is a great outcome!.
It was naturally fermented in the traditional “methode champenoise” technique. It shimmers with a fine persistent bead and a pretty touch of pink from skin contact after pressing. A taste of fresh citrus and strawberry fruit characters, aromas of fresh bread, a creamy mouthfeel and fresh citrus like finish. A fresh and lively sparkling wine that offers a broad flavour profile with a crisp mouthfeel and long mineral finish. The developing complexity and crisp acidity leave your palate wanting more! A delicious aperitif.
750ml. 12.5% alcohol.
The grapes were harvested in our compact Deans Marsh vineyard on Easter Saturday 2022. The grapes were delivered to Lethbridge on the same day, and immediately chilled before 50% pressing the next day.
The wine was wild yeast and barrel fermented with 50% whole bunches – initially in new oak but transferred to old oak after a few months to ensure correct weight and balance (right alongside Lethbridge’s own amazing pinot noirs).
As with all of our wine, this 2022 pinot noir has been held back for several years bottle aging before release.
Flavour Profile
Deep crimson in colour with candied Morello Cherry on the nose. A beautiful lifted perfume of dry roses and potpourri.
An elegant silky mouthfeel with deep dark cherry density fruitiness and delicate savoury elements of forest floor and white mushroom. Followed up by a smooth lingering finish.
The grapes are 100% the Abel clone.
Footnote
In 2024 Lethbridge Wines was listed by James Halliday as no. 56 in the TOP 100 Wineries in Australia.