“This is moody, fragrant, evocative Pinot Noir from the scrubby wilderness of Steels Creek in the northern reaches of the Yarra Valley. So much beauty and prettiness unfurling in the glass from such a wild and unsuspecting place. A charming juxtaposition, yielding an attractive expression of detailed berry and cherry fruit, deep spice, fresh herbal twists and warm autumn/truffle tones. Tannins are fine and savoury, and the acidity is soft and elegant, with a sour-cherry tang. This is an ethereal Pinot, humming with an inherent flavour intensity that has allowed for such a light touch and a long future. Harvested from a distinct selection of the “west” block of the Nine One Six vineyard. Gentle handling was the theme. Three separate natural ferments of varying treatments; i) 100% whole bunch, lightly treaded for complexity and structure ii) carbonic maceration for perfume and fruit/spice iii) 100% de-stemmed for fruit purity and silky tannin. After varying periods on skins ranging from 10 days to 5 weeks, each parcel was pressed to neutral puncheon and barrique barrels for maturation on gross lees for 20 months. Carefully racked directly off of lees to bottle with a small amount of sulphur in November 2022. Released May 2023.”
Ben Haines
