LATERAL PINOT NOIR 2022

Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"Two clones of Pinot Noir (777 and 5) from a vineyard high on the slopes of the Gibbston Valley. We destemmed the fruit, before adding a few handfuls of stems back to the fermenter. Very gentle ferment management in order to preserve the pristine clarity of the fruit. We kept the ferment relatively cool, and pressed the wine early, before aging for 7 months in old oak barriques. Natural fermentation and malolactic. No additions apart from minimal sulphur prior to bottling. No fining or filtration. We drink this wine slightly chilled, but you guys can do what you want!"

94/100 David Walker Bell, WineFolio.co.nz, June 2023 (2022 Vintage)
"Lateral 2022 Pinot Noir Using two clones of Pinot Noir (777 and 5) from a vineyard high on the slopes of the Gibbston Valley. The fruit was destemmed, with a few handfuls of stems then added back to the fermenter. A very gentle, cool ferment preserved the pristine clarity of the fruit.  The wine was pressed early, before ageing for 7 months in old oak barriques. Natural fermentation and malolactic. No additions apart from minimal sulphur prior to bottling. No fining or filtration.

OK – this one creeps up on you. At room temperature and at first try it is a light, smashable, pretty and fragrant expression – but luckily I put it in the fridge and could only get back to it on Day 3. What a revelation. Served slightly cold, and with enough oxygen ingress to have let this young wine bloom, it was in quite a different place. Pinot should be an ‘aromatic red’ and so it is here. The fragrance is beguiling, showing a cherry-caramel note with cola, raspberry, blood orange and blueberry. A silky texture and with a light drag of fine tannin and lively acidity, there’s sense of contrast and exotic to the palate, with eastern spices, guava and then I get strawberry milkshake (?! – I know..). A fun, but seriously loveable wine."