Description
Ashton Hills has the oldest pinot vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. Stephen George wears two winemakers’ hats … one for his Ashton Hills wines coming from his estate vineyard high in the Adelaide Hills, the other for the iconic Wendouree wines in Clare. He refers to his dry grown Piccadilly Valley vineyard planted back in 1982 as the “Burgundy of the Adelaide Hills”. Stephen is one of Australia’s most highly respected winemaking viticulturalists and a pioneer of Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir. In 1982 he planted his dry-grown 3 hectare vineyard (which he refers to as his garden!) and has experimented much with trellising and planting 21 different pinot clones and settled on the best performing 5 clones. To give you an idea of the attention to detail of this craftsman, sometimes they go through 4 times hand picking the same row to ensure optimum ripeness! The result is sublime pinot noir … unfortunately in minuscule quantities!
As James Halliday has noted, “[Ashton Hills] is the most distinguished site in South Australia for Pinot Noir; Stephen’s unremitting attention to detail has made Ashton Hills the one Grand Cru of the state.” He’s got a point. What other site in S.A. can point to such a track record of quality with the Pinot Noir grape? And it’s the Reserve that really bangs home this point each year it’s released.
Winemakers notes about the 2019 vintage: “All five of the clones available on our estate feature in this wine, with D5V12 heading the list at 60%, followed in decreasing order by our two Martini clones, 777 and MV6. Grapes were handpicked, keeping individual clones separate in small open fermenters. Some whole bunch fruit (30%) was added to ferments, enhancing aromatics and structural complexity. Fermentation was initiated by indigenous yeast (wild ferment). Each clonal parcel was basket pressed and filled to a combination of new (33%) and seasoned French oak barriques with full solids. All barrels were kept on lees to build palate, body and complexity. They were racked and blended just prior to bottling.
Cold conditions at flowering resulted in low grape yields in the Adelaide Hills and throughout South Australia in 2019. However, the high altitude of the Piccadilly Valley ensures late flowering and the spring of 2018 provided a warm window late in the season bringing average yields to the sub-region. Quality was excellent owing to dry conditions which meant there were no disease or pest issues and all batches of pinot noir showed strong colour, concentration and flavour.
Aromas of black cherry and plum are entwined with lovely savoury, autumnal notes. The darker fruits are accentuated by the subtle use of French oak which results in a powerfully fragrant nose.
The concentrated palate features juicy dark fruits, and brooding earthy notes. The charry French oak sits quietly in the background and layers of fine tannin provide a supple and long finish.”
97 points and Best of the Best Pinot Noirs for 2022 in Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion “A darker, more earthy and foresty feel here than the Estate version, and a different proportional mix of clones. The cherry sense is blacker fruit, while the acidity and mouthfeel are ramped up, evenly, to be more powerful once you engage. Likewise the aromatics, nose and palate, are poised, waiting to find their lift in time. Experience says this wine will be on another level in 5 years.” Tony Love, 12/8/21
96 points, Nick Stock for James Suckling, Top 100 Wines of Australia “This has pristine aromas of red flowers, red cherries, pomegranate, orange zest and a thrillingly fresh overall impression that is driven by beautifully ripe Pinot fruit. The palate is so succulent and smoothhoned with finely layered tannins delivering succulent, long and juicy impact on the finish. Impressive poise here. This is nicely tuned. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
95 points, Campbell Matinson, The Wine Front “Impressive pair of Pinot Noir from Ashton Hills in 2019. Dark cherry, intensity, distinct dried rose perfume, spice, cedar wood and pencil. Excellent volume of flavour – cherry and strawberry mainly – and carrying a good pack of tannin. Length. Balance. Even a bit ‘mineral’ thrown in for good measure. Fluid and lovely to drink.”
RRP $95 *Our Price $86.99. Last of this vintage!!
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