2024 Castelli Estate Pinot Noir, Denmark

Denmark sits at the southwestern edge of the Great Southern region of WA, where the Southern Ocean influence is felt more directly than in the warmer inland sub-regions. The Castelli home block on Mount Shadforth is a north-facing hilltop site overlooking the Wilson Inlet, and cooled by ocean breezes that slow ripening and allow flavour and tannin development to find their own pace. Five different Pinot Noir clones are planted across the block, each contributing a distinct thread to the final blend.

Winemaker Andrew Vesey works with minimal intervention in mind. The approach in the vineyard is to do as much work as possible there, allowing the winery process to stay gentle and expressive of the site. A small proportion of whole bunches is included during fermentation, adding savoury complexity to the red fruit base before maturation in French oak barriques.

Bright garnet, the nose shows cherry, spicy strawberry, raspberry and a subtle earthy lift from the whole bunch inclusion. The palate is medium-bodied with fine chalky tannins, a flinty oak thread and a sustained mineral finish. More structured and persistent than many Denmark Pinots, with shorter term cellaring potential.

Keep food served with this lightly prepared and without bolder trimmings.