Stefano Lubiana 'Sasso' Pinot Noir 2022

Biodynamic

Lubiana's flagship pinot noir delivers the goods. Great aromatic depth revealing plush wild strawberry, dark cherry and red plum fruits dredged in exotic spice with hints of roasting game, mountain herbs, sous bois, Chinese barbecue and earth. Tight, grainy tannins provide the frame and a seam of minerally acidity the propulsion as the wine flows across the palate, finishing very long and true. A complex wine that delivers beautiful drinking now but will repay careful cellaring handsomely. Serious stuff. Drink to 2038. 96 Points. Dave Brooke, Halliday's WIne Companion.

From a single vineyard and three plots within (defined by soil profile, more or less). The wine is naturally fermented (as the notes say, which is the ferment modus operandi of the last thirty years for Stefano et al), matured in more or less only second and third fill French oak barrique. Biodynamic since 2010.

It's really concentrated and powerful, is the take away message. Deep, dark cherry inflections, black plum, green olive, quite a bit of clove and cinnamon spice, turned earth, truffle and aniseed going on. Very fragrant, lots of flavour, quite compact despite the potency and a sheath of grippy, minerally tannins deliver a chew and chomp while trimming things down. Very impressive. A distinct pinot noir. 2024-2035. 94+ Points. Mike Bennie, The Wine Front.