Tapanappa Definitus Pinot Noir 2018

The 2021 vintage of Definitus sold out so quickly that the team decided to release a little of their museum stocks of the 2018 alongside the 2023 Foggy Hill. Given only 430 dozen were made in the first place, you can understand how limited this is. This provides pinotphiles with a wonderful opportunity to compare and contrast the two wines – 2023 a cool year while 2018 was a warm one; one newly released and the other with some serious bottle age; 2023 with no whole bunches included, while the 2018 had 15%; and the Definitus from a special patch in the vineyard. Those less interested in comparing and contrasting can simply just enjoy the wines. The museum release was nearly twice the price of the new release, so does that mean twice the quality? Pinot is a funny thing. Both wines had much to offer and your preference is likely to be whether you enjoy the elegant, refined cooler style or the richer and bolder older option. A crimson/garnet hue, the wine does have the advantage of some years of development. We have appealing truffle notes, red fruits, aniseed, fungal touches, forest floor, dry herbs and a flick of cinnamon. Very much a savoury style with fine, sleek tannins, excellent balance, good intensity and serious length. This still has ten years ahead of it.