BLACK QUAIL ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2020

Jen Parr, Winemaker notes (2020 Vintage)
"A deep ruby hue resulting from a cool growing season with low yields, suggesting great concentration and freshness even after three years in bottle. A heady perfume jumps out of the glass with lifted spice coming from the whole clusters used in the fermentation. Aromas of wild thyme, lilac, blueberry, blackberry and ripe cherry on the nose with the palate adding more dark berry and cedar. The oak is perfectly integrated, adding architecture to the wine without toasty flavours. The palate is intense and cohesive with silky tannins and refined concentration. This Pinot Noir has a serious core with an elegant intensity and salivating acidity that suggests it should be worthy of cellaring until at least 2035 (give or take a year or two) A memorable vintage!"

5 Stars & 95/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, March 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Wonderfully fruited and perfumed, the bouquet shows dark cherry, smoked game, truffle, cedar and dried flower notes, leading to a gorgeously rounded palate delivering multi-layered mouthfeel combined with velvety texture and fine polished tannins. Soothing and gratifying. At its best: now to 2030."

Rated Outstanding & 95/100 Cameron Douglas MS, March 2024 (2020 Vintage)
"Great colour and intensity with a bouquet of ripe morello cherry and black currant, the hillsides that surround this appellation speak well through the nose with a savoury dried thyme complexity, field mushroom and stony soils. Wild flowers follow then baking spices of toasty barrel and oak sweetness. Dry and delicious on the palate with textures from polished tannins and finesse of wood, a backbone of acidity holds the flavours and textures on place. Berry and plum flavours weave throughout the palate with a youthful firm texture and lengthy finish. A wine to be enjoyed from 2026 through 2036."

5 Stars & 18.5+/20 (94) Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, April 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Moderately deep ruby-red, lighter on edge. This has a concentrated, savoury bouquet packed with aromas of cherry, plum, dark herb, earthy forest, mushroom and spice. Medium-full bodied, intense black cherry and plum aromas melded with thyme, mushroom and forest floor, earthy minerals and cinnamon. The wine is generous with flavour and weight, persists with spice and fresh acidity to a long, savoury finish. Match with roasted lamb and duck over the next 8+ years. Handpicked, fermented with 30% whole bunches to 13.9% alc, 24 days total time on skins, aged 11 months in French oak, 20% new oak. Unfined, unfiltered."