Shadowfax Little Hampton Pinot Noir 2021

Description

Shadowfax located 30 minutes from Melbourne was established in 1998.  Winemaker Alister Timms has a strong focus on regionality with the majority of fruit sourced and hand-harvested from their vineyards in the Macedon Ranges and Werribee as well as small growers in Geelong. Each and every vineyard has its own distinct characteristics and produces grapes of only the highest quality. They have taken tremendous strides in recent times, with the team refining the range and proving their prowess with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Their single-vineyard Chardonnays have taken out Best Chardonnay at the Macedon Ranges Wine Exhibition no fewer than five times. Especially noteworthy have been the Little Hampton Vineyard in Macedon’s high-altitude plantings of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Macedon is the chilliest region of Australia’s mainland, perfectly suited to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and its location south of the Great Dividing Range produces excellent acid retention in grapes. These are the vibrant future of Australia’s cool-climate wine scene.

This single vineyard site at Little Hampton near Trentham, sits at 730m above sea level, which is one of the coolest in the Macedon Ranges. A cool summer and cool spring led to a very long growing season. Conditions at flowering set few berries, leading to low crop levels. This led to long and concentrated phenolic ripeness. Fruit was hand picked late in the season in pristine condition.

Hand harvested fruit was carefully sorted and destemmed with 100% whole berries into small open fermenters. Natural fermentation occurred with daily gentle pump overs to extract fine tannins and flavour. After two weeks on skins the wine was pressed then racked into 10% new, second, 3rd and 4th use French Hogs Heads and Puncheons where it rested and grew. The wine was then racked and filtered prior to bottling in February 2022.

The aromatics of this Little Hampton Pinot Noir is seductive and engaging. Floral citrus blossom and rose petal waft from the glass, bolstered by blueberries and dark cherry fruits. Further complexities reveal themselves, such as cardamom and sandalwood spice. Mineral aspects including gunpowder and graphite provide intrigue. Given time in the glass the Little Hampton’s signature aromatics intensify and seduce the drinker gracefully.

Blue and black fruit fall immediately onto the palate. Complexed with sandalwood, bramble and some white pepper spice. A focused and mineral core has drive, vibrancy and poise. Fine and lacey tannins frame the complex cardamom spice and subtle fruits. The wine has energy and lift that can only been seen in high altitude, cool climate Pinot Noir. This Little Hampton Pinot noir is uncompromising in its purity and identity.

New release!

92+ points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “750 metres above sea level. I’m not sure pruning that vineyard would be a lot of fun. Blueberry and red cherry, a dusting of white pepper, exotic spices, light cedar oak, dried roses and tomato. It’s tight and quite sappy, fresh tomato, citrus zest and a cranberry crunch to acidity, light dusty tannin grip, and a bright and spicy finish of good length and precision. Has a distinct ‘mineral’ feel to it, and while it’s pretty frisky and slightly sour-edged as at now, I reckon it will do well with some time in the cellar. It’s a style that some will love, and others may find a little too edgy.”

92 points, Huon Hooke The Real Review “Medium-full bright red with a good tint of purple and a lifted fragrance that recalls just-ripe raspberry, with a hint of blackcurrant—the berry and the leaf—plus violets. Crisp acidity underlines the cool-climate statement this wine eloquently makes. Snappy, bright pinot noir.”

RRP $76   Our Special Price $66.99 when you buy 6 or more.