Shadowfax Little Hampton Pinot Noir 750ml

Viticulture :
This single vineyard site at Little Hampton near Trentham, sits at 730m above sea level, which is one of the coolest in the Macedon Ranges. A cool summer and cool spring led to a very long growing season. Conditions at flowering set few berries, leading to low crop levels. This led to long and concentrated phenolic ripeness. Fruit was hand picked late in the season in pristine condition.

Winemaking:
Hand harvested fruit was carefully sorted and destemmed with 100% whole berries into small open fermenters. Natural fermentation occurred with daily gentle pump overs to extract fine tannins and flavour. After two weeks on skins the wine was pressed then racked into 10% new, second, 3rd and 4th use French Hogs Heads and Puncheons where it rested and grew. The wine was then racked and filtered prior to bottling in February 2022.

Tasting Note:
The aromatics of this Little Hampton Pinot Noir is seductive and engaging. Floral citrus blossom and rose petal waft from the glass, bolstered by blueberries and dark cherry fruits. Further complexities reveal themselves, such as cardamom and sandalwood spice. Mineral aspects including gunpowder and graphite provide intrigue. Given time in the glass the Little Hampton’s signature aromatics intensify and seduce the drinker gracefully.
Blue and black fruit fall immediately onto the palate. Complexed with sandalwood, bramble and some white pepper spice. A focused and mineral core has drive, vibrancy and poise. Fine and lacey tannins frame the complex cardamom spice and subtle fruits. The wine has energy and lift that can only been seen in high altitude, cool climate Pinot Noir. This Little Hampton Pinot noir is uncompromising in its purity and identity.

- Al Timms, Shadowfax