The 2020 was drawn from a range of blocks (planted in 1976, 1997 and 2007), all on soils of volcanic loam and dark clay over a limestone base, and with a wide variety of clones (mainly MV6 with a smattering of the 'Dijon' or 'Bernard' clones 114, 115 and 777). All the fruit was destemmed and fermented with indigenous yeast, with just 20% whole bunches. Élevage played out for 10 months, primarily in Tronçais hogsheads (25% new).
Under Matt Holmes, the Pinot Noir style is now a little less lavish than that of his predecessors--now you'll find impressively pure flavours derived from a more reticent use of whole bunches and the earlier bottling regime. With the 2020 growing season being one of the coolest on record, this is a slightly lighter expression of Bannockburn Pinot, but no worse for it! With its delicate mix of red and black fruits, tobacco spices and just enough aromatic whole-bunch notes, this is a spicy, supple and long Pinot, pretty but oh-so-serious, with fine structure and powdery tannins.