2021 Ashton Hills Estate Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills

Fermented with 18% whole bunches, matured in new and seasoned French oak for 9 months. The 2021 vintage was widely considered to be an excellent vintage in Piccadilly Valley. Pinot was a standout. Here, it delivers an exotic edge to an impressively vibrant red-garnet hue, with a mix of black cherry, cranberry and red berries, forest notes, a hint of musk here, bitter wild herbs there. All dressed up in fine tannins and ready to go.

95 points Jeni Port winecompanion.com.au

As the label suggests, this is made exclusively from Ashton Hills' celebrated three-hectare vineyard. It’s a selection and, at blending, five clones from the Estate vineyard made the cut for the 2018: D5V12, 777, MV6 and two Martini clones. Echoing the old adage that if it ain’t broke, don't fix it, the winemaking has (essentially) remained unchanged for eons.

The grapes are hand-picked, keeping individual clones separate in small open fermenters; small amounts of whole bunches are used, fermentations are wild and the wines are basket pressed to French oak barriques with full solids. No sulphur is used during winemaking until bottling, and all the reds are bottled without fining of filtration. 

Lifted red cherry, plum and quince are matched with some whole bunch spice and a hint of savoury, earthy notes. The palate features crunchy red cherry and cranberry notes which are framed with lovely natural acidity and long fine tannins. A beautifully textured wine with plush, persistent length and a long savoury finish.