Small Wonder Little Life Pinot Noir 2021
- 93
- $50
- Drink by: 2022-2028
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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.
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.
