2020 Picardy Pinot Noir, Pemberton

The vines are dry grown, cane pruned and handpicked, which in turn encourages low yields. In the winery the grapes are 75% destemmed, 25% whole fermented in small open fermenters.

Wide open aromatically, with lovely cool climate pinot scents and beguiling musky hints transitioning to damp rose petals. An elegant and graceful palate, with subtle hints of sour cherry and stemmy complexity. Precise tannins and a light touch of high quality oak provide just the right support, enabling the fruit to speak with confidence. And what fruit it is; admirable depth, while retaining a lightness of touch.

With very low yields picked in February after a mild ripening season and early bud burst, this wine confidently follows on from the benchmark 2018 & 2019 releases. What characterizes the 2020 in comparison is, perhaps, an extra level of finesse. An absolute joy.