2021 Ashton Hills Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir

Ashton Hills Piccadilly Pinot Noir is blend of fruit from a handful of grower vineyards around the Ashton Hills estate. Some whole bunch fruit (30%) was included in the ferments with maturation taking place in seasoned French oak for a period of 9 months. 2021 was widely considered to be an excellent vintage across South Australia and the Piccadilly Valley was no exception with healthy, balanced vines producing a crop with impressive flavour and concentration.
Semi translucent dark red in colour with black shaded edges and a light red hue. Sailing from the glass is a fragrant mix of ripe red cherry, violet, strawberry and rhubarb scents which meld into forest floor, dried herb and spicy cedar notes. Delicious ripe red to dark cherry, wild strawberry and rhubarb fruits are delivered with terrific intensity across the front half of the palate. Silky mouth feel and velvet smooth tannins with notions of dried herbs, forest floor and spicy cedar adding complexity. Excellent power finishing long, supple and incredibly moreish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews…..
Fermented with 30% whole bunches, matured in French oak for 9 months. In the dark and brooding class of pinot, with undergrowth, autumnal leaves, dark berries, woodsy spices and sage. The amount of whole bunches has been decreased from 2020, a good sign, bringing an element of added complexity rather than sharpness. A strong, firm, exciting young pinot. Drink by 2028.
94 points
Jeni Port – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion