Source: jamessuckling.com. Issue Date: Sunday, December 11, 2022 (JS-95)

This has aromas of dried strawberries, cherries, thyme, crushed stones and citrus rind. Compact and tight with a fine minerality, medium body and tight-grained tannins. Very focused. Better after 2023.

Source: Winemaker,

The first single vineyard wine off the 19 year old Sauvage Vineyard vines in Bannockburn. The vineyard itself is located under hills once prized for gold in this region, now cloaked in wild thyme and rosehip. The land below is widely sought after for Pinot Noir and the foothills are framed with vines.

Vintage Notes: A very warm vintage with above average temperatures in December and January.
Mid-season conditions were also very calm, with little wind and no significant rainfall, so the season progressed well ahead of usual timing. Some rain, and then overall milder conditions in February and March meant that ripening slowed favourably. The 2018 harvest was earlier than usual in the region, commencing on 14th March, however the late season conditions had helped to give lovely ripeness whilst retaining balance and finesse.

Winemaker Tasting Notes:
The first single vineyard wine off the 19 year old Sauvage Vineyard vines in Bannockburn. The vineyard itself is located under hills once prized for gold in this region, now cloaked in wild thyme and rosehip. The land below is widely sought after for Pinot Noir and the foothills are framed with vines.
This wine compromises a mix of clones from different areas within our site. Enticing aromas of spice, mushrooms, and dark red fruits accompany earth and herb tones. The palate shows wonderful elegance and focus, supported by a textural core, with fine lengthy tannins driving persistence. Expected cellaring 7-10 years.