2021 Alkimi Willowlake Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley

15% whole bunches. Fermented in small fermenters prior to barrel maturation and 18 months' bottle age.

“Sourced from Willowlake in Gladysdale with 15% whole bunch and matured for 18 months in bottle prior to release. Immediately you will find blood orange, strawberries, rooibos tea and red soils. Fresh rhubarb and raspberry cordial. Don’t be fooled by the wine’s light hue, the palate is where you need to focus your attention. There is a generosity of red fruit, citrus bitters and crunchy acidity. Tannins are dusty and the savoury quality of ironbark, paprika and Togarashi shine through. A touch of Heliotrope blooms emerge, while acidity carries the flavour along nicely and the finish is long and silken. This would look a treat alongside sautéed pine mushrooms on sourdough, drink now and will cellar for 3-4 years.” 

Shanteh Wale, 93 Points, Wine Pilot

A rather light, almost pale brick-red colour; slight purple tint in the rim. The wine is all about autumnal aromas, leaf litter, earthy notes, dried herbs and developed characteristics, the palate elegant and dry/savoury, seeming to lack intensity of primary fruit at first, the tannins outlasting the flavour, but revealed more fruit with time in the glass. An appealing pinot noir with some structure. 25 NOV 2023 Drink 2023–2033

90 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

The second release of Pinot Noir from Alkimi once again comes from the Willowlake vineyard which sits at an elevation of 180 - 200 metres asl. The vines were planted in 1988 and the clone used in this Pinot Noir is the much-loved MV6. Soils are a dark-grey clay loam over red volcanic soil, which allows free drainage and good mineral deposits for the vines to grab in the subsurface.

The appearance is a transparent, vivid ruby. The nose is deep with tones of freshly-picked red fruits such as strawberry and cherry. Spice cabinet notes of cardamon, caraway and clove blend into sweeter tones of sarsaparilla and stewed rhubarb. Beneath, there are also woody-spiced (whole bunch) notes and forest floor in autumn. In true “Upper” Yarra nature, the palate is mid-weighted yet lively and not compromising in depth or character in any way. There are aromatic red-fruit tones encompassed with spice, crème Brulee oak leaning into fragrant sweet toasted red capsicum characters. The tannin is silky and ever-present which winds its way around the supple textured, bright compete finish.