December 2019 Releases: Ashton Hills 2018 Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir $38 & Small Valley 2017 Pinot Noir $35

Ashton Hills 2018 Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir $35

The 2018 Ashton Hills Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir is a blend of fruit from neighbouring vineyards and estate parcels. Stephen George has taken great interest in applying his winemaking approach to parcels from elsewhere within the Piccadilly Valley and seeing how the wines compare with those from the Ashton Hills Vineyard. The resulting blend benefits from varied fruit character and vineyard expression, while maintaining the fine tannin structure that is typical of the Ashton Hills style. This is what Dave Brooks of the Adelaide Review had to say about the wine. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"For the lover of Pinot Noir, it ticks a lot of boxes... it is a detailed, beautifully fragrant and perfumed wine with fruit notes of red cherry, raspberry and macerated strawberries. There is a dusting of Asian spice, rose petals, porcini mushrooms, amaro herbs and some gamey notes to keep the fussiest of pinotphiles happy. The wine’s bright energetic line, fine curtain of tannin and mouthfeel that evokes a sense of space and delicacy brings the whole package together. The 2018 release is a wine that is superb drinking straight off the shelf but will continue to improve over the next five years or so.”

Small Valley 2017Pinot Noir $35

Small Valley Vineyard is a part of the Gumeracha township in the heart of the Adelaide Hills, tucked away in the Torrens Valley 36km northeast of Adelaide. Gumeracha was known by the Peramangk people as “Umeracha” meaning watering place. Its ancient, mineral rich soils and wrinkled topography were the reason for its settlement and the continuation of this long agricultural history through viticulture. Gumeracha has warm days and cold nights. This coupled with diverse variation in subtle light avail it to many different varieties and wine styles. The sheltered vines trail into an intimate valley where a central teardrop pond takes the sky. The valley feels sacred and alive with greens and golds, a perfect place to create something beautiful. This along with and being 360m above sea level and an average rain fall of 756mm lends its self to the cooler wine varieties and wine styles. Sandy loam over shale with overlaying clay and sandstone; help make up such a diverse site. Vinification: Fermented in open fermenters and 100% whole bunch. Wild yeast sets the tone whilst the 25% new French oak adds length and complexity. Black cherry, currant and a hint of spice from stalks, come’s a wine with a little hint of mocha. Tasting Note: Nose: An inviting and perfumed Pinot, with cranberries and sweet kirsch notes. Palate: Medium-bodied and silky, with supple red fruits and a pleasingly refreshing acidity.