Ashton Hills Estate Pinot Noir 2025

No introduction needed to the reputation of Ashton Hills when it comes to Pinot Noir pedigree, based on their set of three mainstays, a Reserve and Estate iterations from the home block estate high in the Adelaide Hills in Ashton on the northern edges of the Piccadilly Valley, as well as wider-vineyard sourcing for a Piccadilly Valley variation. Occasional single vineyard makes also add to the portfolio. This Estate is emblematic of South Australia’s finest Pinot producer, multi-clonal vinified separately before a final blend, 25% whole bunch pressed and fermented, matured for nine months in 14% new barriques. The nose is immediately captivated, earthy bush florals and leaf, middle eastern spice fragrance, bay leaf before flowing easily into a neatly structured palate, fluid, gently built, darker, faintly sour cherry, with a fruit-sweet rise in the finish, the slightest of amaro bitters threaded into its tannin lilt at the exit. The identity of this iconic vineyard for all to see now, with potential to develop more earthy notes in the next decade. (The Reserve ($115) is a barrel selection with a bit more oak on show at release.)

Tony Love

Journalist at Winepilot

Tony is best known for his 10 years as News Corp’s National Wine Writer, with weekly columns in major metropolitan mastheads throughout Australia including The Adelaide Advertiser, The Sydney Daily Telegraph and the Melbourne Herald Sun. He continues to write feature articles and columns for all the major Australian wine media publications. Tony has also worked as a restaurant reviewer, section editor, book editor, digital content provider, journalism teacher and was named Wine Communicators of Australia 2018 Legend of the Vine (SA). Find out more about Tony at tonylove.com.au

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