Rouleur 2021 Pinot Noir

The 2021 vintage Pinot Noir hails from two sloping, northerly facing vineyards, each situated in a different sub district of the Yarra Valley.

The greater portion of fruit (60%) comes from a 38 year old vineyard in Silvan, where the soil consists of both red and grey volcanic clay loam. This parcel offers prettiness, texture and fragrant spice to our finished wine.

The remaining parcel of fruit (40%) is sourced from a vineyard just out of Healesville where the soil is compact heavy clay loam. This site sits at 150m and is quite protected from harsh northerly winds due to surrounding trees and topography. Ripening around 2 weeks earlier than Silvan, we find this block provides fruit weight and drive to the blend.

At the winery, each parcel of fruit was rigorously handsorted before processing to 3 steel open fermenters, each with varying degrees of whole bunches vs destemmed fruit. With only a few days soaking, all 3 pots started fermenting via indigenous yeast.

After 2-3 weeks on skins and irregular footstomping, our ferments were drained and pressed to separate tanks before racking to a combination new (10%) second, third fill (and older) French 500L puncheons for maturation. 

Post malo, all barrels were sulfured, racked-returned and left alone until blending in late October then bottling (without fining or filtration) in November 2021. 

The 2021 Pinot Noir displays a touch more weight and complexity than prior vintage, but still remains true to style being finer boned with pretty fruit and bunch character that elevates the wine, providing more layers and interest.

On the nose there’s fragrant cherry and rosewater florals, backed by earthy sulfide and subtle stems from whole bunches used during ferment (40%). The palate has plenty of flavour and boasts long, dusty tannins backed by jubey red fruit and anise-like spice to finish.

A wine that drinks well now, but will evolve beautifully in bottle over the next 3 plus years.

Alc Vol 13.1%, PH 3.56, TA 5.9