The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Meunier 2019

The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Meunier is a Dundee Hills red split between the estate's highest and lowest vineyards.

Two sites, two characters. Daphne occupies a hill crest at 260 metres, among the oldest and highest in the Dundee Hills AVA, where shallow soil over volcanic bedrock plus wind and cool air keep the vines small and the fruit intense. Sisters, planted in 1989, is the youngest site at 67 metres, faces south and sits on more sedimentary ground. For Jason Lett, the 2019 autumn ranks among the most Burgundian he has seen here, with the rain and cool days that usually arrive in winter coming early and spread evenly, which held acid across the board. Fermentation was natural in vessels from one-tonne bins to five-tonne wooden cuves, hand-plunged twice daily, then 22 months in mostly old oak, eight per cent new.

Light-framed but not slight: cranberry, damson skin, violet and cracked pepper, with bright acid and fine tannin. Serve at 14 degrees. Good with roast quail, charcuterie or a lentil and mushroom braise.

*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.