Carefully selected grapes, handpicked and placed in half-tonne bins, underwent a meticulous process of carbonic maceration for three days at a controlled temperature of 10°C. Both parcels were treated with equal attention to detail: 20% of whole clusters were gently introduced into fermenters, while the remainder was delicately crushed atop the intact clusters. Fermentation proceeded at a controlled temperature range of 28-34°C, with gentle hand plunging ensuring complete extraction until dryness was achieved. Following this, the must was meticulously basket pressed directly into French oak barrels, predominantly comprised of 2/3-year-old Hogs Heads. Subsequently, the wine underwent Malolactic fermentation within the oak barrels before being carefully sulfured in place. After a patient maturation period of 7 months, the wines were expertly racked out of the barrels for blending, then promptly bottled.
From a collection of grapes from three sub-regions in the Adelaide Hills – Balhannah, Hahndorf and Carey Gully – there are just 6,000 bottles of this delightful Pinot. There is some evidence here of whole bunch use, but more than that, it shows just how good Pinot from this region can be. A red cherry hue, there are raspberries, warm earth, strawberries, undergrowth, cherries and floral notes with a soft and silky texture. The wine shows impeccable line and length. An utterly delicious Hills Pinot with fine acidity and very good length. Enjoy this over the next five to six years, but worth squirrelling a few bottles away for even longer, just to see what they might do… it could be a bit exciting.