Rowlee Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
- 93
- $38
- Drink by: 2023-2033
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From the Orange region, parcels are harvested a week apart to assist in the search for complexity, grown at 950 metres above sea level. Destemmed, before going into small open fermenters and then cold soaked for five days. Fermentation follows, over ten days with twice daily hand plunging. Nine months of maturation in French oak barriques. Crimson/garnet in colour. There is early complexity evident here. Cherries to the fore with spices, cold tea notes, red fruits and some quality oak well melded. The intensity is maintained for the full length of the wine. Plenty of tannins here, but they are sleek and silky. A really attractive cooler climate Pinot, which should provide pleasure for the next eight to ten years.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
