2021 Small Lot Pinot Noir
94 Points, Vic Harradine, Winecurrent.com
Winemaker's Notes
An intricate, elusive nose revolves through perfumed kirsch, raspberry, cranberry, vanilla and cherrywood. Flavours embrace raspberry, strawberries-and-cream, rhubarb and cinnamon heart, wrapped in a weighty, luscious, finish-prolonging texture.
Grapes from three Bench sites mingle in this wine. The blend is 56% Mottiar Vineyard, 35% Moira Vineyard and 10% Malivoire Estate, all hand-picked between September 30th and October 12th.
The grapes, mostly destemmed but 6% held in whole clusters, were divided to ferment in both stainless steel and concrete tanks. The wines were next combined to age nine months in French oak barrels. After blending, 654 cases were bottled in August 2022.
At the time of bottling, the wine was measured at 12% alcohol, 0 grams per litre residual sugar, 7 grams per litre titratable acidity and 3.56 pH.
Dry: 0 g/L residual sugar
Enjoy now to 2029.
Vegan friendly.
Food Companions:
Best served near 14° C with Coq au vin, Mushroom Bourgignon, braised duck with porcini and semolina or a charcuterie plate of mild cheeses, figs and paté.
94 Points, Vic Harradine, Winecurrent.com
"When poured in the glass it shines with lightly-hued bright ruby red colour galore. Aromas of earthy notes and red cherry/berry fruit waft easily with the gentlest of swirls. It blankets the palate with delightful fruit-forward flavours of pie cherry, blueberry, black bramble berry and oodles of sharp tang and pizzazz expressed as delightful acidity of rhubarb flavour and Montmorency pie cherry. The finish and aftertaste are lengthy and persistent purity of fruit that is deftly balanced. Pick up an armful and drink now to 2028 with careful cellaring. "