Small Wonder Little Life Pinot Noir 2021

Tasmania has made a speciality of this notorious grape, challenging the very best made anywhere in the country. This delicious example comes from the Dijon clones 114 and 115, grown on a site in the Tamar Valley, which is planted on its own rootstocks. A mix of soil types helps provide complexity by turning this into a form of ‘field blend’. Toss in a steep slope and high elevation and everything is in place for what should be a thrilling Pinot. Winemaking involved a degree of carbonic maceration with 50% whole bunch inclusion.

A gleaming crimson colour, there is early complexity here, which is no surprise. The slightly stalky, brambly character from the whole bunch inclusion is certainly to the fore in these early days. Warm earth tones, animal skins, red currants, smoked meats. The structure is seamless, the texture seductive, the length impressive with good drive through to very fine, supple tannins. This very attractive Pinot will drink beautifully over the next five or six years.