2022 Thousand Candles Gathering Field Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley

All MV6 clone and 10–30% whole bunches. A light, bright ruby red. Another delicate yet well-defined pinot from Stuart and the team at Thousand Candles. Aromas of wild strawberries, red cherries and fresh rose petals Light to medium bodied and gently sinewy on the palate, finishing with silky, persistent tannins. This is delicious now but will be even better 2–3 years from now. Just as good and just as well priced as the very good '21.

95 points Special Value Philip Rich winecompanion.com.au

Hand picked fruit from select parcels from our best blocks. The blocks have an easterly aspect that enables them to avoid harsh afternoon sun. Picked early in the morning, hand sorted, destemmed and fermented in small batches.

Fermented over two weeks with minimal intervention. Wines were pumped over at the start and end and only some gentle plunging towards the end of ferment. This allows the wines to retain purity of fruit and better reflect the vineyards they were grown in. After 6 months in older French barriques and hogsheads the wine was bottled with minimal sulphites added.

The wine has aromas of red fruits, cherries and floral notes. An earthy palate with an undertow of dusty cherries, red berries and pomegranate. Some fine velvety tannins and bright acid make this a savoury and structural wine.