2024 Sidewood Estate Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills

From the Mappinga and Ironstone vineyards. Fermented on wild yeasts, a little whole bunch and whole berry, matured in large format French oak for eight months. Abundant perfume, red cherry, red apple, alpine herbs and bay. It is immediately juicy, the brightness of fruit a pleasant juxtaposition with stalky, bunchy notes. Tension here, but elegance, too, with umami elements – truffle, cured meat – providing optimal savoury balance. Drink 2026-2032.

93 points Special Value, Katrina Butler Halliday Wine Companion, February 2026

Light cherry red hue. Red cherry and undergrowth aromas. Light to medium bodied with tart raspberry on entry, softening into dark cherry, cola spice and bitter herbal notes. Good length, tannins building and persisting through the finish. Drink 2026-2032.

90 points Stuart Knox The Real Review, February 2026

Sidewood Estate was founded by Owen and Cassandra Inglis in 2004 and has grown steadily into one of the Adelaide Hills' most consistent producers across a range of cool-climate varieties. The 2024 Pinot Noir draws fruit from the Mappinga and Ironstone vineyards, wild fermented with a proportion of whole bunch and whole berry, then matured for eight months in large format French oak. The approach is classic cool-climate — minimal intervention, oak in support rather than at the fore, the fruit and site doing the work. Notably modest in alcohol at 12.3%.

Enjoy with roast duck, mushroom risotto, seared salmon or a Vietnamese duck salad. Ready to enjoy now but should hold comfortably for several years.