November 2020 Releases: Hunter Gatherer 2013 Macedon Pinot Noir $50 & 2016 Cobaw Ridge Pinot Noir $55

Hunter Gatherer 2013 Macedon Pinot Noir $50

The Hunter-Gatherer vineyard sits on the rolling hills of Pipers Creek in the Macedon Ranges. Handcrafted by winemaker Brian Martin, the Hunter-Gatherer range of wines encompass ideals of a faithful expression of terroir. Brian is known to Hunt & Gather exceptional fruit from reputable neighboring producers to showcase varietals that thrive in other corners of the Macedon Ranges and Heathcote wine regions. The grapes for this Macedon Pinot Noir were gathered from Doug’s vineyard in Romsey, hand plunged in small vats, fermented using wild yeast, and aged in French oak barrels. The wine has a bright ruby colour, with aromas of wild strawberries and French oak spices. The palate is fresh & vibrant, with crunchy red cherry fruit, lively acidity and very fine silky tannins. We recommend you drink this wine with some spicy food, the vibrant acidity works well with food, and brings out the beautiful red cherry and wild strawberry fruit flavours.

Cobaw Ridge Pinot Noir 2016 $55

Cobaw Ridge Vineyard was established by owners Alan & Nelly Cooper. The first vines were planted during 1985, in granitic sandy soil. The vineyard is situated on the warmer north facing slopes of the Great Dividing Range, 610 metres above sea level at East Pastoria in the Macedon Ranges, of Victoria. The 2016 Cobaw Ridge Pinot Noir is reflective of the winemaking philosophy of Alan & Nelly, where low cropped mature vines are utilized. Fruit is treated with respect, soft destemming, and membrane pressed, so to ensure full ripe tannins not harsh extractive or over worked. Hand plunged to softly extract maximum colour and flavours. Small open fermenters used to gain maximum complexity between vats. The wine is allowed to go through full natural malolactic fermentation in oak the summer following vintage, which produces a fuller softer effect. All wine matures in barriques for 12 to 24 months, with the introduction of 25 to 30% new barriques each year. Not too much new oak so as to let terrior speak and not the barrel. With minimal handling pre bottling all the red wine is neither fined nor filtered prior to bottling. No acid additions are required, just low levels of sulphur dioxide at point of bottling. Nothing added, nothing taken away. Everything is done so as to promote and preserve the full integrity of our unique vineyards terrior. The 2016 Pinot Noir has a bright cherry red colour, and is not fined or filtered, so the wine exhibits a distinct textural element which we love. We would describe it as liquid velvet. There are aromas of ripe strawberries and freshly shaved pencil, leading into a palate that has a unique plushness due to the beautifully judged tannin structure. Rich red fruit flavours and trademark Macedon Ranges acidity round out the finish.