Recognition

One of the warmest, earliest and dried vintages in living memory and just look at the result – amazing! Winemaker versus nature is always a delicate battle, but it looks like in ’25, the winemaker won the day, or that’s how it tastes. How else do you describe the full, expressive nature of the ’25 Pinot matched to a fine-edged,

Medium ruby red colour. Raspberry, cherry, and dried porcini aromatics. It has density and power on entry and throughout the palate, with black and red cherry fruit at its core, then notes of dried mushroom, a lift of clove and cinnamon spice, and a dusty earth undertone into the long finish. Tannins have presence and power,

The 2025 Pinot Noir Foggy Hill Vineyard is floral and fresh, spicy and textural. I like the middle palate here; although the fruit has ripeness, the encasement of tannin provides freshness and space here, and the fruit feels quite verdant. It’s al dente and good. 14.2% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. The grapes were harvested on February 27,

This is structured and Very Serious Pinot Noir. Tannin quality is paramount, granitic, mineral-charred, firm and fruit hangs in sheets off it – blueberry, violet florals, dark cherry, red currants. There’s mint and sage leaf, salt bush and caraway seed also in play here and lending complexity to the wine. It’s compact, energetic, trim. There’s a sense that the wine is reluctant right now,

2025 was a warmer vintage on the Fleurieu Peninsula, though for Pinot Noir, that is something which is not always to the advantage of the variety. Fortunately, it seems to have overcome that potential handicap. A vintage, perhaps, where generosity trumps elegance. 2,300 dozen made. Winemaker, Brian Croser, notes this vintage as “the driest, warmest and earliest” of his 56-year winemaking career.

The 2025 vintage was notably warm, yet this wine displays remarkable elegance and restraint, more in keeping with a cooler season. Bright crimson with subtle purple hues, it opens with musky red berries, delicate floral notes and a hint of mushroom complexity. The palate is bright, finely textured and quietly powerful, with precise acidity carrying effortlessly through to a long finish.