On the lookout for a Pinot Noir that offers a little more depth than the norm? Look no further than Drake from the Strathbogie Ranges. The nose is complex with red cherry and smoky spices battling for your attention. Some subtle charcuterie and forest floor notes arrive after the immediate fruit rush. A sip reveals a medium body palate driven by red fruits, herbal notes and those smoky spices again. At this stage in its life, tannins are fine and bright acidity guides the wine through to a clean finish. Give it time, or drink right away...this won't disappoint.
Awards and Accolades
Raymond Chan, Raymondchanwinereview.co.nz "Even ruby-red colour with youthful purple hues, lighter on the rim. The nose is light and elegantly proportioned with bright and fresh aromas of dark cherry fruit melded with dark herb and stalk elements and dark red berry confectionary elements. This has a firm intensity to the aromatics. Medium-bodied, and tightly bound, the palate possesses good depth of dark cherry fruit entwined with dark herbs, liquorice and whole berry confectionary notes.
The fruit is underlined by fine, grainy tannins lending a firm line, with fresh acidity providing energy and drive. The wine carries to a fir, slender finish of cherries and herbs. This is an elegant, firm and intense Pinot Noir with flavours of dark cherries, herbs and confectionary. Serve with tapas, antipasto, poultry and pork over the next 4 years. Hand-picked fruit, 85% Strathbogie Ranges and 15% Yarra Valley, vines 10-25 y.o., fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 12 months in 20% new French oak."
From the Winery
Hand picked to small bins before chilling. Primarily de-stemmed with 15% whole bunch retained. Fermented in small open one tonne fermenters with hand plunging before maturation for twelve months in small format French oak, 20% new and the balance one and two years old. Bottle with minimal filtration and sulphur addition.
Good winter and moderate rainfall throughout spring, along with warm spring temperatures, saw much better yields in all varieties than in 2014. Warm but not extreme temperatures continued into summer and meant a very early start to harvest. A dry March, with cool overnight temperatures, kept disease pressure low and allowed grapes to retain excellent natural acidity.
