“Outstanding” - Decanter, 96 points and #1 of 134 New World Pinot Noirs reviewed!

This Tasmanian beauty came top in Decanter Magazine’s premium New World Pinot Noir review from 134 wines tasted. It’s so finely detailed, with each layer of flavour distinctly outlined in cherry, orange, wild strawberry, loose tea, struck flint, rose and a myriad of others for you to discover. 13.5% alc. Drink now-2032.

Planted in 1988, the cool, northeast-facing vineyard (benefiting from being in a rain shadow) was bought in a spur of the moment decision by cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW (of Shaw & Smith in the Adelaide Hills) in 2011. It was fermented and matured in oak barrels, about 30% new, using a proportion of whole bunch fruit, which gives a cool freshness that reflects the maritime climate.

What the Decanter judges (all ‘Masters of Wine’) had to say:

Anne Krebiehl MW: “Darker fruit, peony petal, Ceylon tea. Translucent and peppery, crunchy fine tannin: a beautifully marginal Pinot Noir.” 96 points

Justin Knock MW: “Beguiling nose, maritime notes, fragrant spices, cumin, red fruits, layers of flavour. Everything is here and in balance. Wonderful.” 96 points

Dirceu Junior Vianna MW: “Generous, expressive, ripe red and dark fruits and a hint of leafiness and spice. Elegant and combines lots of ripe juicy fruit with savoury complexity. 13.5% alc. Drink now-2030.” 96 points

Jancis Robinson.com: “Fragrant stemminess on the nose. Lifted floral notes – violet, rose. A real showboater. Petticoat tannins: frilly and soft yet noticeable. Lovely fragrance with subtle oak and lots of persistence. Drink now-2032.” 17+ points

The Wine Advocate: “The 2022 Pinot Noir leads with cherries and sumac on the nose and a lithe undercurrent of star anise, liquorice, red apples and even a hint of watermelon. The whole-bunch component of this wine contributes graphite and arnica, blood orange, Campari, orange peel and dried fennel seeds. The wine is spicy and agile and feels lighter in fruit weight than the 2021 that came before it. It's still a superb wine, just different. Drink now-2035.” 94+ points

Organic & biodynamic farming