Lightfoot Myrtle Point Pinot Noir 2023

Description

The Lightfoot family first planted a small vineyard in 1995 in the pristine Gippsland Lakes region and made small batches of wine each vintage for the enjoyment of family, friends and a handful of local wine enthusiasts. Since then their family business has grown, and the second generation of family, sons Rob and Tom Lightfoot, now manage the business.

The vineyard site, situated between the foothills of the Great Dividing Range and Bass Strait, was selected when soil mapping of the region identified tracts of the much celebrated Terra Rosa over Limestone soil structure – highly unusual in Gippsland. The 29Ha vineyard was planted between 1995-1997 by the Lightfoot family on their farm ‘Myrtle Point’. Pinot Noir plantings make up almost half, with smaller blocks of Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet.

About this wine from the winemaker:  “Made exclusively from fruit grown at the Myrtle Point Vineyard in the coastal Gippsland Lakes District, Victoria. Located between the Great Dividing Range and Bass Strait, the Gippsland Lakes District enjoys a cool, semi-maritime climate.

10% new French Oak barrels were used in the blend, with the remainder being in seasoned French oak, and allowed to age in the cellar for 7 months.

“2023 was a welcome change after the very challenging previous few vintages. The La Nina conditions that had been present for the previous couple of years persisted through the Spring, however this provided plenty of water and fortunate breaks in the wet conditions coincided with flowering and so we had a successful fruit set overall. The canopy was shoot thinned in the spring, and then carefully managed through the early summer period resulting in well positioned shoots and a nice, airey, and light filled fruit zone. The La Nina conditions ended at Christmas time and we had a pretty much dream run up until harvest. Nice dry, moderate temperatures meant that we progressed towards harvest at a slow and steady rate with the actual harvest beginning a bit later than the long term average. This gave the grapes a chance to develop great flavours without accumulating high sugars and thus high alcohol levels.

“Pinot noir commands centre stage here in Gippsland. This wine has a lot of the classic Pinot fruit character of red berries and dark plum. It also shows the trademark hint of something a little meatier and more savoury that we see in Pinot from the Myrtle Point Vineyard. It’s a wine that is mostly about the pure expression of fruit character, but there is subtle texture and tannins in this wine and a touch of the barnyard/forest floor “funk”.

“While this pinot is mostly about the pure expression of its fruit character and the vineyard itself, but there is a subtle texture about this wine – with restrained tannins – and an underlying earthy character that we love!”

The search is seemingly a struggle when trying to source Pinot Noir that captures both typicity and at a price that can be labelled ‘affordable’. Lightfoot, with their superb limestone/Terra Rossa single vineyard in Gippsland are doing just that. Handpicked, part whole bunch fermented Pinot Noir that sees a touch of new French oak but for the most part sits on gross lees for the full aging period in aged barriques from some of the best French coopers in the business. Get ready to be impressed considering the price.

This is classic Gippsland Pinot Noir – Generous bright cherry and plum fruit balanced with the more savoury earthy and spicy notes. Clear varietal and regional character, bright fruit with complexity and texture. Incredible quality for the price!

95 Points, Jane Faulkner for Halliday’s Wine Companion: “There seems to be a gentle touch this vintage, with wonderful fruit expression. A pinot with all the fine aromas and flavours the variety can muster, yet it’s restrained with mouth-watering raspberry-like acidity and silky tannins. There’s a savoury edge to this, lighter framed yet highly enjoyable.”

RRP $37   *Our Special Price $28.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine