2017 Punt Road Pinot Noir

2017 is a very promising vintage, that may prove to be one of the best seen in the Yarra Valley in recent memory. Healthy Pinot Noir grapes were handpicked and given a five-day cold soak in two and five-tonne stainless steel open fermenters. 20% whole bunches went in, with all fruit going through indigenous primary and malolactic fermentation, before being left on skins for four days post ferment. After fermentation the parcels were lightly pressed and racked to a variety of French oak barrels (20% new) where the wine was matured for 10 months.

Semi translucent bright light red colour with a crimson hue. Fragrant aromatics of red cherries and violets intermingle with a faint whiff of sour cherries followed by meaty forest floor and spicy cedar notes. Light and supple in its mouthfeel the palate is draped with crunchy red cherry and strawberry flavours which overlay a back drop of subtle meaty characters, forest floor and spicy cedar. Vibrant finish with traces of sour cherries also evident. Finely grained well integrated tannins concluding with a ripe red cherry, strawberry, forest floor, dried meats and spicy cedar aftertaste.
Cellar 3-4 years.
Alc. 13%

Other Reviews….
Boy oh boy. The 2017 vintage has produced some excellent results, but the quality-price ratio will rarely be as strongly in the buyer's favour than it is here, especially for Pinot Noir, where value is notoriously hard to find. It features sweet, ripe fruit, the tangy sourness so typical of the variety, and all the herbal infusions you could ever desire. This is both summery and autumnal at once.
July, 2018, Campbell Mattinson, Halliday Magazine