Home Hill Estate Pinot Noir 2012

Description

Home Hill began in 1994 with just 0.5 hectares of Pinot Noir planted by Terry and Rosemary Bennett on Terry’s family property just outside Ranelagh in the Huon Valley, south west of Hobart. Between 1994 and 1999, they established a further 5 hectares of vines with Pinot Noir remaining the focus variety. Located near the 43rd degree latitude, the climate is right on the southern margins of vine growing. Moderate summer temperatures are supplemented with very high sunshine hours allowing the vines to slowly ripen small crops of well-exposed fruit achieving full ripeness while maintaining natural acidity and freshness. The fertile grey loam over clay soil mean trellising and vineyard work is crucial to manage vigour. The Pinot Noir plantings are dominated by two Davis clones – 2051 (aka D5V12) and 8104 (aka D2V6). The 2051 provides the body, depth of flavour, power and tannin structure while 8104 adds prettiness, lift and a distinct pepper note. Small plantings of the modern Burgundy clones 114 and 115 are showing promise too albeit in a much more feminine style than is currently produced. The style of Pinot Noir here is unashamedly masculine and at first reminds of Central Otago but with more savoury complexity and less sweet fruit; a style that will please a wide range of Pinot Noir drinkers. Early success in the local shows has encouraged the Bennetts to invest heavily in producing the best fruit possible from their site with no expense spared in the vineyard. A micro-winery was commissioned on site in time for the 2011 vintage and intuitive young winemaker Gillian Lipcombe has been retained to manage the small 2000dz production full-time. Home Hill is already one of the serious contenders for Tasmania’s best Pinot Noir, as evidenced by an impressive array of trophies to date, and they continue to improve with every vintage. This is a name to watch in Tasmanian Pinot Noir.

Already regarded locally as one of the best producers of Pinot Noir in Tasmania, Home Hill are starting to gain more attention on the ‘big island’ for their rich, structured and complex wines under the winemaking if Gilli Lipscombe. 100% estate grown in the cool sub region of the Huon Valley this vintage displays classic notes of sour cherry, dark red berry fruits, damp earth and a creamy, cardamom spice. A small amount of whole bunch fermentation was also used for the first time, giving the palate an elegant complexity and finely textured tannins.

4 Gold Medals – 2014 Royal QLD Wine Show; 2013 National Cool Climate Wine Show; 2013 Cowra Wine Show; 2012 Rutherglen Wine Show
RRP $50