Pinot Noir 2023

It is a dark plum colour with dark berry and ripe cherry aromas. The palate is round and generous with medium tannins and well-balanced acidity. Some black pepper spices add to the complexity of the wine.

Accolades

• 93 points, Cameron Douglas (MS)
• 93 points, Sam Kim

Viticultural practises

The vines are predominantly Davis and Dijon clones; the Davis is slightly sweeter and the Dijon a more earthy flavour. The rootstock is Schwarzmann, a very low vigour dwarf rootstock. The vines are planted at high density plantings of 4,200 per hectare and are trained on a two cane system (VSP) with a cane length of only 600mm to maximise flavour.

Wine making details

Fruit was destemmed into open top fermenters and cold soaked. The must was hand plunged three times daily for the duration of the fermentation. Post ferment the wine was allowed to remain on skins for up to ten days before the wine was gently pressed directly to French oak barriques. Malolactic fermentation was encouraged and completed by early spring. 

Food and wine matching

Moderate amounts of tannin mean the wine will suit meats with some fattiness, such as lamb or duck, especially those flavoured with pepper. Woody herbs such as rosemary, thyme and basil will compliment the earthy flavours of the wine. An ideal match would be braised lamb shanks with caramelised onions, or seared scallops, drizzled with truffle oil and served with a rocket salad.