Tolpuddle Pinot Noir 2023

“Our coolest season on record. Slightly unsettled flowering thanks to a wetter than average spring, resulting in mild ‘Hen and Chicken’, giving a combination of small and normal sized berries, and much lighter bunches than normal.

Low yields benefitted from drier conditions for the remainder of the ripening period, ensuring fruit was harvested in pristine condition.

All hand-picked fruit is fermented as a combination of whole berries and whole bunches, in open wooden and stainless steel fermenters, with gentle plunging. Aged for 10 months in French oak, of which about one third was new.

Will repay careful cellaring for up to 12 years.” – Tolpuddle Vineyard

“Deep red-purple, bright and clear colour; superb rich ripe black cherry fragrance with a kiss of smoky oak, the palate remarkably full and rich, smooth and fleshy with excellent texture and immediate drinking appeal, although it has the legs to age well too. Serious structure, but also succulent, sweet and plush—almost too much of a good thing. Outstanding pinot noir.” – 97 points, Huon Hooke