Shanteh Wale, The Wine Pilot, May 2023
Planted in 1999. The Lenswood site sits at 500m in elevation. This is purely 114 clone in-bedded in loam over clay and shale soils. Potent black cherry, mulberry and Nyon olive with hints of Acai berry and sage leaf. Dried coconut husk, cardamom pods and pepperberry follow. The wine is weighted and sturdy in the mid palate, with that signature dense black fruit and a lingering carob and clay finish. Tannins are silty and acidity peaks in rolling waves. The Lenswood has its own style and definitely the more savoury Pinot Noir in their range. This has the structure to age and continue to develop complexities. Drink now or hold for up to 8 years. Drink with duck confit. 92 Points.
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, May 2023
Vineyard planted on a south-facing site in 1999 at 500m above sea level. It’s a tight, controlled, convincing wine. It’s reserved and taut but it still managed to have me at hello. Smoky oak, boysenberried fruit, a wealth of soft, fragrant herb notes and a dry-but-velvety finish. There’s a lot going on here but nothing juts or hardens. There’s gloriousness to be had here. 95 Points.
Huon Hooke, The Real Review, March 2023
Good depth of red-purple colour, bright, the bouquet quite foresty in a strongly whole-bunchy style, dark and red cherry, blackberry and raspberry nuances, some clove/ginger/angelica traces, complex and beguiling. Great palate intensity with fine grained tannins and plenty of extract backing it up. A multi-dimensional pinot which entertains to the last. (All clone 114). 97 Points.
Andrew Caillard, The Vintage Journal, March 2023
Medium crimson. Fresh strawberry pastille, raspberry, hint chinotto aromas with underlying savoury notes. Beautifully balanced wine with strawberry pastille, raspberry, hint chinotto flavours, fine bittersweet tannins and some vanilla notes. Builds up al dente and juicy at the finish. Very fruity and buoyant with attractive vinosity and freshness. Drink now – 2028. 95 Points.
Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion, February 2023
Pinot is a challenged commodity in the Hills these days – it is simply becoming too warm. Mid-weighted and sappy, the tannins a beam of judicious oak and whole-bunch influence. Chinotto, Seville orange, vanilla and marasca cherry. Lots of flavour and sassy medicinal undertones. While delicious, the is a bit simple, at least at this nascent stage. Time will tell. 93 Points.
Shanteh Wale, The Wine Pilot, May 2023
Planted in 1999. The Lenswood site sits at 500m in elevation. This is purely 114 clone in-bedded in loam over clay and shale soils. Potent black cherry, mulberry and Nyon olive with hints of Acai berry and sage leaf. Dried coconut husk, cardamom pods and pepperberry follow. The wine is weighted and sturdy in the mid palate, with that signature dense black fruit and a lingering carob and clay finish. Tannins are silty and acidity peaks in rolling waves. The Lenswood has its own style and definitely the more savoury Pinot Noir in their range. This has the structure to age and continue to develop complexities. Drink now or hold for up to 8 years. Drink with duck confit. 92 Points.
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, May 2023
Vineyard planted on a south-facing site in 1999 at 500m above sea level. It’s a tight, controlled, convincing wine. It’s reserved and taut but it still managed to have me at hello. Smoky oak, boysenberried fruit, a wealth of soft, fragrant herb notes and a dry-but-velvety finish. There’s a lot going on here but nothing juts or hardens. There’s gloriousness to be had here. 95 Points.
Huon Hooke, The Real Review, March 2023
Good depth of red-purple colour, bright, the bouquet quite foresty in a strongly whole-bunchy style, dark and red cherry, blackberry and raspberry nuances, some clove/ginger/angelica traces, complex and beguiling. Great palate intensity with fine grained tannins and plenty of extract backing it up. A multi-dimensional pinot which entertains to the last. (All clone 114). 97 Points.
Andrew Caillard, The Vintage Journal, March 2023
Medium crimson. Fresh strawberry pastille, raspberry, hint chinotto aromas with underlying savoury notes. Beautifully balanced wine with strawberry pastille, raspberry, hint chinotto flavours, fine bittersweet tannins and some vanilla notes. Builds up al dente and juicy at the finish. Very fruity and buoyant with attractive vinosity and freshness. Drink now – 2028. 95 Points.
Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion, February 2023
Pinot is a challenged commodity in the Hills these days – it is simply becoming too warm. Mid-weighted and sappy, the tannins a beam of judicious oak and whole-bunch influence. Chinotto, Seville orange, vanilla and marasca cherry. Lots of flavour and sassy medicinal undertones. While delicious, the is a bit simple, at least at this nascent stage. Time will tell. 93 Points.
