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Hills Pinot Noir - Multiple Vineyards - Multiple Clones - Amazing Grace.
Here it is, folks, my first straight Pinot Noir. It's been a while coming, and like the saying goes - good things come to those who wait.
The popularity of Pinot Noir shows no signs of slowing down. Part as we are gravitating to lighter bodied reds, part as Australia's Pinot Noir vineyards are maturing, part as winemakers come to terms with the nuances of this most noble of varieties.
So, here it is:
Sourced from three vineyard sites, each in distinct sub-districts of the Adelaide Hills. Kuitpo, at the very southern fringe of the zone. Echunga, still south, but more central. Woodside, smack in the middle of the region.
Lets talk clones. You might have heard winemakers prattling on about clones of Pinot. More than any other variety, Pinot clones matter. By the way, a clone is simply a slight genetic variation of a single variety. All grapes varieties have clonal variants, its just that some grape varieties (like Pinot Noir) display more clonal variation than others.
This Pinot Noir is a selection of four distinct clones: MV6, 114, 115 and D5V12. Yes, this is how they are named. Imaginative, isn't it. The reality is, by selecting a mix of clones, the overall wine displays a balance of fruit characters, acidity, tannin and overall balance.
Sourced from three distinct vineyards, each parcel was harvested and de-stemmed, with a portion of whole bunches left in the ferment. Whole-bunch fermentation gives the wine a bright, lifted and aromatic character. Following fermentation, the wine was racked into seasoned French (Burgundy) barrels for malo-lactic conversion and a short maturation time.
Early bottling insured the lifted morello cherry, wild strawberry and delicate spice characters were preserved. Distinctly Pinot Noir, this is a bright and racy wine which will be your friend during the warmer months ahead.
Where & When: Dare I say, duck anyone? Such a cliche, however roast duck certainly compliments Pinot pretty well. Try those Luva Duck pre-cooked legs from the supermarket. Otherwise, grilled chicken and fish will be great, a cheese and cured meats platter, or friends in the shade on a warm Sunday afternoon will be just dandy with a glass of lightly chilled Pinot.
Pack size: 12 x 750ml bottles
Price: $210 per pack