2023 Singlefile Single Vineyard Mount Barker Pinot Noir
VINEYARD & WINEMAKING
The pinot noir grape variety is very well suited to the cool climate terroir of the Mount Barker sub-region of the Great Southern. This parcel of fruit is from the established Moore River Vineyard, which typically presents strong varietal characters and 2023 did not disappoint.
The 2023 season delivered a wet winter and spring was reasonably dry. Even temperature days and cold nights during the growing season helped the fruit to develop full flavours while retaining natural acidity which forms the backbone of this wine.
The fruit was harvested on 11th April 2023. It was picked, gently de-stemmed and then cold soaked for two full days. A parcel was barrel fermented and underwent natural fermentation in new French oak, the remainder went to small open fermenters and later to new and seasoned oak. The wine spent approximately seven months in French oak 225L barriques, 30% new. It was then prepared for bottling.
THE WINE
A medium body styled pinot noir with lifted aromas of red cherries and spices as well as subtle forest floor aromas which will develop further with time in bottle. These characters follow through on the palate. The wine has a medium palate weight and a gently textured mouth feel with soft and subtle tannins supported with the natural acidity. The Burgundian oak presents nicely in the background. The wine finishes with good length of flavour and a long finish. It is well suited to complement game or light red meat dishes, and it will reward cellaring.
CRITIC REVIEWS OF NOTE
2023 Vintage
94 points, Ray Jordan's Top 100 Reds, July 2024
94 points, Barry Weinman, May 2024
93 points, Wine Showcase, March 2024
93 points, Paul Edwards, March 2024
2022 Vintage
95 points, Ray Jordan, 2024 WA Wine Review
94 points, Wine Showcase Magazine, July 2023
2021 Vintage
94 points, Wine Showcase Magazine, December 2021
Product Reviews
First impressions - lovely colour, the seductive, smokey nose so distinctive of pinot, but not overbearing. Tonight it was paired with a rare, grilled steak.
First taste - subtle woodiness, but not of oak, although it has spent some time on oak, and the fruit very much to the fore - cherries, very definitely and just a hint of tannin on the finish. As the evening progressed the fruit became more distinct and the wine developed a smooth, more mellow quality - or was that just me?
Summary: lovely to drink now, but it will benefit from 5 - 10 years in your cellar.
It has a balanced acidity for coming from a cooler region with beautiful fruit characters of cherry, cranberry and raspberry with very well incorporated use of both old and new oak. Typically drinking a current vintage of a wine that has a 30% portion of new oak needs some time to have all of its components mellow out together. However, this Pinot Noir has always been beautiful to drink upon release.
Due to being a very balanced, smooth and easy drinking red that you could have all year round, especially if you briefly chill it in your fridge, it is a stunning wine to bring to any social gathering. It also would please a more critical audience as well due to how well the wine has been crafted.