Artis Pinot Noir 2021

A very fine Pinot from a single vineyard, the Jupiter Springs Vineyard, in the Kuitpo sub-region of the Adelaide Hills. 25 year old vines with a gentle eastern aspect. Maker Andrew Miller considers Pinot one of the more challenging varieties to work with and approaches it on the basis that ‘when you think your Pinot is ready to pick, it is already too late’. One quarter of the fruit goes to the bottom of small open fermenters with the remainder destemmed and placed on top. Native yeasts are used with fermentation taking three weeks before maturing in French oak hogsheads, 25% new, for 8 months. No fining or filtering. 

A light crimson in colour with flecks of purple. The nose offers dry herbs, strawberry notes, a character like raspberry jellybeans, a whiff of cinnamon, all of which continues on the palate through to an appealing sour cherry finish. Silky smooth, well-structured with very fine tannins, this is bright and fresh with good length. Young, understandably, but from an excellent vintage, so one suspects that its best days are ahead of it, even though it is thoroughly enjoyable drinking now. Should improve and drink well for at least the next four to six years.