For more than a quarter of a century, this Pinot Noir has been produced from fruit grown in the ultra-cool Piccadilly Valley. The approach to vinification has been strictly traditional and unwavering from year to year: hand harvested, foot plunged day and night in shallow open fermenters and matured in French oak (60% new) for ten months.
In 2017, this pinot has more restrained aromatics than the previous vintage – with black cherry, dark plum and mulberry fragrances that are bright and fresh. It is light to medium-bodied yet with wonderful intensity, depth and concentration of pure red berry flavours; and fleshy, silky smooth texture that gives it a pleasing approachability. It finishes with ripe, supple tannins and vibrant cleansing acidity. Persistent and fine.
Adelaide Hills – 3,800 bottles produced
Wine specifications
Ageing potential: Enjoy now or up to 7 years
Site: Single vineyard, Piccadilly Valley, Adelaide Hills; coolest grape growing sub-region in South Australia. South facing site
Soil: Predominantly mottled yellow clays that are coarse-grained; quartz-rich soil over sandstone
Clones: D5V12 /D4V2 planted 1982
Yield: Very low yielding – 1 bottle per vine
Canopy: Low (D5V12) to very low (D4V2) vigour. Vertically trained
Fruit: Small to medium-sized berries and bunches. Dark red colour
Harvest date: Hand harvested 12th April 2017
Fermentation: Two ferments, one whole bunch fermented and foot plunged, 10 months in French oak (60% new). 9 months in bottle
Fruit Flavours: Mulberry, black cherry, redcurrant
Profile: Lively, complex; fine, gentle lingering tannins
Fining: Nil – suitable for vegans and vegetarians
Release Date: October 1st 2018
Reviews:
James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2020, 1st August 2019
The 35yo estate vines yielded one bottle per vine. Hand-picked 12 Apr, the crop split in two parts: one usual, the other whole-bunch fermented and foot-plunged, the parts assembled before 10 months maturation in French oak (60% new). The colour is brilliantly clear and bright crimson, luring you to the glass and to a fairy land of red cherry, pomegranate and spice, finishing with fine tannins. Simply delicious now, but with years to go. 96 points.
Tyson Stelzer, WBM, March/April 2019
To the tune of a tiny 350 dozen, this is a refreshingly fragrant and elegant Pinot Noir that captures the tension of its cool, late season. Is sings with pink pepper, pomegranate and wild strawberries, laced with beetroot, Campari and insence. Endurance is infused more thanks to its tension and focus of cool season acidity than its fine and graceful tannins. 94 Points.
Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 8th December 2018
Soft, fine-grained tannins. A little rose petal, pot-pourri later. Fresh acidity.
A lighter-weighted pinot, probably best for early drinking, but on the other hand,
an extra year or so might moderate that stalky aroma. 92 Points.
