Alkimi Pinot Noir Willowlake 2021

Sourced from Willowlake in Gladysdale with 15% whole bunch and matured for 18 months in bottle prior to release. Immediately you will find blood orange, strawberries, rooibos tea and red soils. Fresh rhubarb and raspberry cordial. Don’t be fooled by the wine’s light hue, the palate is where you need to focus your attention. There is a generosity of red fruit, citrus bitters and crunchy acidity. Tannins are dusty and the savoury quality of ironbark, paprika and Togarashi shine through. A touch of Heliotrope blooms emerge, while acidity carries the flavour along nicely and the finish is long and silken. This would look a treat alongside sautéed pine mushrooms on sourdough, drink now and will cellar for 3-4 years.

Shanteh Wale

Contributor at Wine Companion

Shanteh cut her teeth at Sydney’s Award-Winning Quay restaurant where she worked for over a decade and was Head Sommelier from 2018 till 2022. She has been nominated for the Good Food Guide Sommelier of the Year award on three occasions and claims that her experience as a Len Evans scholar as one of the highlights of her career. Shanteh hosts her own weekly podcast ‘Over A Glass’ with the Deep in the Weeds Network and spends her time writing for various publications and judging at numerous wine shows across the country.

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