Coldstream Hills Deer Farm Pinot Noir 2020

Another of the single vineyards, the Deer Farm Vineyard was planted in 1994 on grey clay-loam soil. The blocks in this vineyard where the Pinot is planted are the north-facing Gladysdale Blocks, E Top & D. These traditionally provide Pinot Noir which is ‘charming’ and which offers ‘sour cherry, hints of blue fruits and chalky tannins’, in the view of the winemaking team under Andrew Fleming. This would mean that the 2020 is quite typical for what we can expect. The wine spent nine months in French oak barriques, 41% of which was new.

The wine is a pale but lively crimson. There is more depth and more complexity here than with the standard Coldstream Hills Pinot. The impression is one of coiled power, waiting to be unleashed and reveal the glories hidden away. Notes of cigar box, spices, dried herbs, red cherries, blueberries and root vegetables, with an underlying tight minerality. There are also hints of game and forest floor characters. Nicely balanced with good length and vibrant acidity, this is delicious, but it will really step up a gear in 3-4 years.