Murdoch Hill Phaeton Pinot Noir 2022

Murdoch Hill Phaeton Pinot Noir is an Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir blending Lenswood and Piccadilly Valley fruit.

The 2022 splits evenly between the Lenswood vineyard the family now owns and two long-standing Piccadilly Valley growers. Lenswood, at 500 metres, contributes four blocks of D5V12 planted in 1989 and Dijon 114 and 115 from the early 2000s; that spread of clones gives a dense core, structure and fragrance. The Piccadilly sites, one at 520 metres below Mount Lofty and the other on a steep Ashton slope at 560 metres over thin sandstone, supply delicacy and forest-floor complexity respectively. Small crops and a low juice-to-stalk ratio forced whole bunches down to 17 per cent. Parcels fermented separately in steel, then eight months mostly in puncheon, about a quarter new.

Pure summer red fruits, tea-cake spice, warm earth and a floral lift. Tight and energetic, the stalk component judged well and no roughness anywhere. Serve at 14 degrees with roast duck, glazed quail or grilled salmon.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.