JM 1ST APPROACH

Most of you will know that we usually produce two Pinot Noirs at the Estate from a handful of our 15 clones (selections) we manicure at Ashton, and the Piccadilly Valley from the remainder of these clones supplemented by grapes from two of our neighbours.

The Piccadilly Valley is the fruitiest and least wooded of the two and, although designed for short-to-medium term drinking, will certainly repay cellaring. As very young wines the 2004 Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir gained a Bronze Medal at this year's Adelaide Wine Show.

Ashton Hills Vineyard winemaker Stephen George has long been regarded as an early pioneer of the now well-established viticultural site, the Adelaide Hills. Stephen established his 3ha dry-grown Ashton Hills Vineyard in the Piccadilly Valley in the early 1980s and began producing its first wines in 1987. The style reflects the region’s strong similarity to Burgundy and production levels have stayed true to the boutique nature of the winery’s beginnings.

Bottled in March 2012 the 2011 P.V. is medium brick red in colour with an attractive cherry, plum, berry nose and with already a hit of barnyard complexity. There is sweet fruit along the length of the medium weight palate while a touch of stalky tannin lengthens the palate and provides the bit of grip so important for rood and longevity. I think you'll find the wine quite delicious now but suggest cellaring for around five years if it's those developed, funky, forest floor characters you're after.