Decades Coal River Pinot Noir 2023

DECADES is a collaborative project between these two characters [Steve Flamsteed, perhaps best known for his time in charge at Giant Steps, and Brad Rogers, co-founder of Stone & Wood] who first met whilst studying wine science at Adelaide University 35 years ago, and have always joked about starting a small production, high quality wine label together.  When this vineyard [Coal River, Tasmania] came up for grabs they jumped on it. Fast forward two years and we have the first release of wines from the 2023 vintage; Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and they could not be happier with the quality, though no surprises granted their resumes and respective skillsets.

"This is a wine of whispered power, finely etched detail and sublimely supple texture. Black cherries and dried strawberries, a rippling seam of baking spices, a beguiling bass line of sweet earthiness. It’s the sinewy athleticism that really impresses here; the wine delivers plenty without ever getting paunchy. It’s alert, energetic and rolls across the palate with effortless momentum. This is not Joy Division, but Joy Multiplied." 96 points, Nick Ryan, The Australian.

Our 2023 Pinot Noir has all the classic blue fruits that come from the Coal River Valley’s unique black clay soil. The fruit characters are dense, with a touch of Campari spice aroma, from the small whole bunch parcel. The region does fruit density exceptionally well, but we’ve tried to tease out a little perfume delicacy.  

The fruit was hand-picked in two parcels. The first parcel fermented entirely as whole bunches. The second was de-stemmed, then cold soaked for 5 days before a slow wild fermentation. Both parcels were pressed into small seasoned French oak for malolactic fermentation and left on lees for 9 months. Winery's notes.