The fruit comes from the Little Hampton, Midhill, Mt Macedon and Big Shed vineyards. Good spring rains set the season up in the Macedon Ranges. Soil moisture continued through to harvest even though there was no rain in January, February and March. The growing season was settled and full foliage had to be carefully managed, with crop thinning required. The dry summer allowed fruit to be harvested on phenolic and flavour ripeness alone, a rare treat in the Macedon Ranges. Fruit was handpicked in pristine condition in late March.
Hand harvested fruit was carefully sorted and destemmed with 100% whole berries into small open fermenters. Natural fermentation occurred with daily hand pumpovers and limited plunging to extract fine tannins and flavour. After two weeks on skins the wine was pressed then racked into new (28%) and used French hogsheads, where it rested and grew. The wine was then blended and filtered prior to bottling in February 2019. Alcohol 13.6%; pH 3.57; TA 5.8g/L.
The wine is deep purple with a deep crimson hue. This elegant Macedon ranges Pinot Noir has fine spice aromas including cardamom, cinnamon, five spice and citrus blossom. Darker blood plums, mulberries and florals evolve in the glass, as do sarsaparilla complexities and flecks of mineral earth. The wine has intrigue and flair in the glass, evolving through time. On the palate fruits and spice appear immediately. It has breadth and expanse, yet shows poise from seams of ripe tannins. There are complexities galore with clove and Campari spice interacting with brooding fruits and violet nuances. The palate is long and persistent yet light on its feet, bringing you back for more. A fine example of cool climate Macedon ranges Pinot Noir. - Al Timms, Shadowfax