The Fusilier Vineyard is named in honor of Sam’s father, Major Dermot Neill, a soldier in the Royal Irish Fusilier Regiment for twenty years before returning home to Dunedin, New Zealand, where he ran the family Wine & Spirit business, Neill & Co.
Planted entirely in 2000, The Fusilier is 5.6 hectares of pinot noir, on rolling northerly facing terraces at the western end of Felton Rd and bordered by the vineyard of the same name.
Soils on the terraces consist of deep alluvial fans, which are made up of varying depths of silt, sand and gravel layering all derived from mountainous raw schist parent material.
Fresh aromas of red cherries and red-plum pastry here. This has very attractive, alluring style. On the palate, it has a very smoothly honed feel with rich red cherries, delivered in smooth and succulent mode. Long and silky finish, bathed in supple, ripe red-cherry flavors. From organically grown grapes. Drink now. Screw cap.
96 points James Suckling jamessuckling.com Aug 2019