The Eyrie Vineyards Daphne Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019

The Eyrie Vineyards Daphne Vineyard Pinot Noir is a single-vineyard red from the estate's highest and shallowest site.

Daphne sits at the top of the hill, reaching 262 metres, and covers just 0.6 hectares of Pommard-clone Pinot Noir planted in 1974. Soils are very shallow, often less than ten inches of topsoil over large stone boulders, so yields are tiny, the bunches small and the wines intensely flavoured. It is one of five bottlings made identically across the estate's vineyards, a set that traces the Dundee Hills from 67 metres at Sisters up to 260 at Daphne. Jason Lett calls the 2019 autumn among the most Burgundian he has seen, with rain and cool days arriving early and evenly. Destemmed, naturally fermented in 11-hectolitre open-tops, hand-plunged twice daily, then 23 months in mostly old barrique and foudre.

Intense but translucent: red cherry, iron, dried herb and stone, with the tannin fine and the acid vivid. Serve at 14 to 15 degrees. Match it with duck breast, roast beetroot and goat's cheese, or coq au vin.

*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.