Fleet Lichen Pinot Meunier 2024

The fruit for this wine comes from Clare Burder’s family vineyard in Whitlands at an elevation of 800 metres above sea level. It’s 100% de-stemmed with a 22-day wild yeast ferment in open top fermenters before maturation in neutral puncheons. This is downright delicious – it’s bright and red fruited with crunchy energy and red-floral prettiness adding to the allure. What’s more, its ultra-fine structure makes for a chillable option if inclined. However, ‘normal’ red wine temperature has this singing from the get-go with Bing cherry, red plum, sweet red rose and cinnamon quill lifting prettily from the glass. Further inspection finds delicate star anise and white pepper lingering in the background adding savoury nuance. So bright! The palate is eminently crunchy and lithe with a lovely burst of red rose, plum and cherry sitting above spice notes of the same before an ultra-fine sheath of tannins and piquant acidity frame the finish. Red florals permeating the mouth perfume. Like I said, downright delicious.