2023 Shadowfax Macedon Ranges Pinot Noir

Hand harvested fruit was carefully sorted and destemmed with 100% whole berries into small open fermenters. Natural fermentation occurred with daily hand pump overs and limited plunging to extract fine tannins and flavour. After two weeks on skins the wine was pressed then racked into new (25%) and used French Hogs Heads, where it rested and grew. The wine was then blended and filtered prior to bottling in March 2024.

Cool aromatics, all peppery with wintergreen, and a little meaty reduction, too. The palate matches with cranberry juice and red and sour cherries; it's more about pronounced acidity than tannins, so it’s somewhat tight and lean, yet it has a certain appeal and freshness. Unlikely this will flesh out with time so best to serve with rich food. - 91 points, Jane Faulkner