Circe Hillcrest Pinot Noir 2021

Circe Hillcrest Pinot Noir 2021
Mornington Peninsula, Australia

3 acre Single Vineyard planted in 1993 on an elevated north east ridge in Red Hill South. Deep red basalt volcanic soils. A cold site.Cropped at just over 1.2 tonnes per acre, the Hillcrest Road vineyard gives us perfectly formed Pinot noir fruit. The tight, small bunch structure, ripe fruit flavours and mature skin composition, in good years are ideal for traditional whole bunch winemaking. Grapes were harvested at around 12.5 Baume with perfect natural acidity, fermented in one lot 100% whole bunches (no de-stemming). The Pinot noir was allowed to sit as whole bunches for 7 days prior to gentle foot stomping, with increasing stomping vigour over six days. After pressing the wine was transferred to small French barriques for mlf. The barrels were left untouched on full lees without racking for twelve months before bottling.

The Hillcrest Road single vineyard always provides such a unique, terroir-driven, savoury expression of Pinot Noir. The nose is full of macerated red cherries overlaid by a savoury complexity and notes of cured meat and autumn leaves. Ripe, sweet strawberries and raspberries coat the palate yet the wine is not heavy at all. By contrast this is refreshing and full of fascinating and complex earthy, savoury notes.

Nothing is overdone, with that ripe red fruit continuing effortlessly, combined with a umami twist on the long finish. Already quite savoury in style, drink this now or over the next four years to enjoy its fruit, or leave for longer if you want to enjoy the further development of those elegant, tertiary flavours.