James Suckling

There's a lovely sense of harmony and grace here, with old vine character from this cool high-elevation site. Aromas of red and dark cherries, forest floor, spice, dried flowers and a perfumed lift. The palate is textured and silky with fine-grained tannins and a supple, composed finish with everything in its place. A magnificent single-site pinot noir from 6 clones planted in 1982 with 25% whole cluster. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Wine Pilot

$90 | No introduction needed to the reputation of Ashton Hills when it comes to Pinot Noir pedigree, based on their set of three mainstays, a Reserve and Estate iterations from the home block estate high in the Adelaide Hills in Ashton on the northern edges of the Piccadilly Valley, as well as wider-vineyard sourcing for a Piccadilly Valley variation. Occasional single vineyard makes also add to the portfolio. This Estate is emblematic of South Australia’s finest Pinot producer, multi-clonal vinified separately before a final blend, 25% whole bunch pressed and fermented, matured for nine months in 14% new barriques. The nose is immediately captivated, earthy bush florals and leaf, middle eastern spice fragrance, bay leaf before flowing easily into a neatly structured palate, fluid, gently built, darker, faintly sour cherry, with a fruit-sweet rise in the finish, the slightest of amaro bitters threaded into its tannin lilt at the exit. The identity of this iconic vineyard for all to see now, with potential to develop more earthy notes in the next decade. (The Reserve ($115) is a barrel selection with a bit more oak on show at release.)

The Real Review

Pale ruby and fragrant with aromas of raspberry coulis and strawberry tart, vanilla, dried orange peel spice and a hint of portobello mushroom. Plush on the palate, with oak in balance and a note of forest floor, lifted by a crunch of acidity. Fine-grained, grippy tannins carry cedar notes that linger on a long, savoury finish. Beautifully composed but still a little coiled.

Jamie Goode

Fragrant, sappy and light with red fruits to the fore. Juicy and expressive with nice elegance allied to ripeness.

Robert Parker

The 2024 Estate Pinot Noir is perfumed with garden rose and strawberry, red apple skins, vanilla paste and cold tea, pomegranate and raspberry. In the mouth, the fruit is intense, as the bouquet suggests, yet it performs within a framework of fine, savory tannins. It has cinnamon and sandalwood to close, with strawberry and mint mojito notes as the lingering impression. This is a lovely wine from a really good vintage. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.