2023 Morgan Pinot Noir

Single vineyard 100% Pommard clone Pinot Noir from the vineyard I lease at Ironbank. A selection of the best fruit based on picking time, vineyard block and fermentation batches. A dense rich dark fruited style with good structure. Masculine Pinot Noir. The first release of the best the vineyard has to offer. In a year when colour was low for many Hills Pinots there was no issue here, which belies the style of Pinot produced by this site in Ironbank. At maturity of 25 years age the vines should be providing a clear expression of the site by now. The D4V2 lives up to its synonym – Pommard.

Think darker berry fruit notes - dark cherry, blueberry – with lots of savoury spice, a little dried red rose perfume and a light meaty edge. The blueberry builds with time in the glass. Deep and serious this is far from the pretty, fleeting Hills styles from more modern clones. The palate is medium weighted with a nice relaxed texture. Again the fruit is dark but not sweet/overripe, immediately offset by savoury spice and grainy tannins tamed by 12 months in barrel. Acidity provided further structure but freshness too and more red fruit and herbal tones. This will be fascinating to see with more time in bottle and loves a decanter and generous glasses.