Pooley Butcher's Hill Pinot Noir 2023

A single vineyard Pinot Noir from the Belmont vineyard at Richmond, adjacent to the cellar door. This north facing site has elevation of 30-100 metres on dolerite and self-mulching black vertosols over sandstone. Fruit was handpicked. 20% Whole bunch was included in the ferment with the balance being destemmed. The ferment was inoculated with XR yeast. Fermentation was approximately 20 days on skins. The wine was matured for just under 11 months in French oak barriques of which 35% was new. The cooperage used was Sirugue (fine grain, 36 month seasoning, medium toast). Clone/s: ABEL, 114, 115, 777, MV6. Alc 13.0%, PH 3.62, TA 5.9 g/l. Optimal Drinking: 2024 - 2033+

Violet, stony tension, very fine web of tannin, cool fabric of flavour, blue and black fruit, understated power. Magnificent. 94 points, drink 20-25-2033+. Kasia Sobiesiak, The Wine Front.