Rising Pinot Noir 2023

What an attractively perfumed wine. These are my first and final thoughts. Lavender, lilac, Bing cherries and Alpine strawberries. Whole bunch shows in fresh bay leaf, bramble and boysenberry leaf. Granite, tar and allspice coming through close behind. A chew to the fine tannins and lingering, driving acidity. Anthony Fikkers handles bunch work like a champion, not shying away but confidently working with a feature that adds depth and dimension to his wines. A slurp of nutmeg and black peppercorn on the finish. A self assured Pinot Noir at the right price. Drink now and will cellar 2-4 years. Serve beside pulled pork pizza eaten straight from the box, standing in the kitchen, life’s too short to wait.

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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