Ashton Hills

Piccadilly Pinot Noir

Ashton Hills

Piccadilly Pinot Noir

The 2018 Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir is a blend of fruit from neighbouring vineyards and estate parcels. Stephen George has taken great interest in applying his winemaking approach to parcels from elsewhere within the Piccadilly Valley and seeing how the wines compare with those from the Ashton Hills Vineyard. The resulting blend benefits from varied fruit character and vineyard expression, while maintaining the fine tannin structure that is typical of the Ashton Hills style.

Wine Production

Grapes were handpicked, keeping individual clones separate in small open fermenters. Some whole bunch fruit was added to ferments, enhancing aromatics and structural complexity. Fermentation was initiated by indigenous yeast (wild ferment). Each clonal parcel was basket pressed and filled to seasoned French oak barrels with full solids. All barrels were kept on lees to build palate, body and complexity. They were racked and blended just prior to bottling.

Tasting Notes

Bright and juicy red fruit characters with a savoury back half of earth, leather and subtle dried herbs. The palate is of medium weight with graceful, fine tannins that lend it a plush quality throughout.

Food Pairing

Pairs well with barbeque pork.

The 2018 Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir is a blend of fruit from neighbouring vineyards and estate parcels. Stephen George has taken great interest in applying his winemaking approach to parcels from elsewhere within the Piccadilly Valley and seeing how the wines compare with those from the Ashton Hills Vineyard. The resulting blend benefits from varied fruit character and vineyard expression, while maintaining the fine tannin structure that is typical of the Ashton Hills style.

Wine Production

Grapes were handpicked, keeping individual clones separate in small open fermenters. Some whole bunch fruit was added to ferments, enhancing aromatics and structural complexity. Fermentation was initiated by indigenous yeast (wild ferment). Each clonal parcel was basket pressed and filled to seasoned French oak barrels with full solids. All barrels were kept on lees to build palate, body and complexity. They were racked and blended just prior to bottling.

Tasting Notes

Bright and juicy red fruit characters with a savoury back half of earth, leather and subtle dried herbs. The palate is of medium weight with graceful, fine tannins that lend it a plush quality throughout.

Food Pairing

Pairs well with barbeque pork.

Vineyard & Production Info

Production area/appellation:
Adelaide Hills
Vineyard name:
Ashton Hills Estate Vineyard plus a selection of neighbouring Piccadilly Valley vineyards. (namely Griggs, Hunters & Bickles)
Soil composition:
Basket range sandstone, Ancient Rocks over clay loam, and dark loams over clay.
Elevation:
1600 - 1800 Feet feet
Average Vine Age:
15 - 37 years

Winemaking & Aging

Prefermentation Technique:
Ambient cool soak prior to wild ferment taking place.
Varietal composition:
100% Pinot Noir
Fermentation container:
Small open stainless steel fermenters. 500kg to 1.5 tonnes
Malolactic fermentation:
yes
Fining agent:
vegan
Type of aging container:
Barriques
Type of oak:
French Oak. Francois Frere is the prefered cooper. All seasoned oak for Piccadilly Valley.
Length of aging before bottling:
10 months

Analytical Data

Alcohol:
13.5 %