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Murdoch Hill Phaeton Pinot Noir 2021

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Murdoch Hill Phaeton Pinot Noir 2021
Producer Murdoch Hill
Region, Country Adelaide Hills, Australia
Bottle Size 750ml
Case Size 6
Product Code 20603-750

The Phaeton is a blend of clones 114 and 115 from two vineyards in the Piccadilly Valley. The first site lies at 520 meters altitude outside the town of Piccadilly, below Mount Lofty. Its easterly aspect provides Downer with delicate fruit, pretty aromatics and pure, red-fruited notes. The second vineyard, also with an easterly aspect but in Ashton, sits on a steep slope at 560 meters on quite shallow sandstone and hard soils, and adds forest floor complexity. 


Natural yields are low, providing fruit with structure and length. The altitude and aspect of both sites provided elongated, Pinot-friendly ripening conditions in 2021. Downer handled each parcel separately, both with a portion of whole berries and whole bunches (50%). Fermentation occurred in stainless steel followed by maturation in mostly puncheons and demi-muids, with a small amount in barrique (approximately 35% new) for nine months. 

Murdoch Hill Phaeton Pinot Noir 2021

Reviews

“Fine and fresh, tight in a way but has a little pliancy to texture too, a bit of juiciness. Red and black cherry, a bit of green olive, white pepper, clove and faint smoky-minerally notes. Good length, fragrant and savoury style. Lovely stuff.”“Fine and fresh, tight in a way but has a little pliancy to texture too, a bit of juiciness. Red and black cherry, a bit of green olive, white pepper, clove and faint smoky-minerally notes. Good length, fragrant and savoury style. Lovely stuff.”
93 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
“This is an alluringly fragrant, complex and spicy pinot that offers such intense red cherries, raspberries, strawberries and red plums, framed in light, bunchy tones. Some white pepper and freshly picked herbs, too. Young and vibrant palate that has finely detailed tannins and a succulent, energetic feel in the mouth. Bright, small red fruit lights the finish. Very drinkable already.”
97 points, Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com
"Just bottled when tasted and a joyous drink, brimming in red fruits and spice. Plenty of life and energy here. Upfront, it delivers a complex set of red cherry, cranberry, plum with potpourri floral/herbals and a splash of musk. A fully integrated, balanced and elegant expression of Piccadilly Valley and Adelaide Hills' pinot, the area's top red variety."
95 points, Jeni Port, The Wine Companion
"The fruit for this 2021 Phaeton Pinot Noir is sourced from a single vineyard in the Piccadilly Valley—Pinot Noir clones 114 and 115. The fruit is concentrated, with notes of bone broth/consommé, fig paste, black cherry, red apples, sumac, a touch of black pudding and star anise, some fennel flowers and raspberry leaf tea. It's a beautiful wine that has dimension and detail within its boundaries."
94 points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate

Reviews

“Fine and fresh, tight in a way but has a little pliancy to texture too, a bit of juiciness. Red and black cherry, a bit of green olive, white pepper, clove and faint smoky-minerally notes. Good length, fragrant and savoury style. Lovely stuff.”“Fine and fresh, tight in a way but has a little pliancy to texture too, a bit of juiciness. Red and black cherry, a bit of green olive, white pepper, clove and faint smoky-minerally notes. Good length, fragrant and savoury style. Lovely stuff.”
93 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
“This is an alluringly fragrant, complex and spicy pinot that offers such intense red cherries, raspberries, strawberries and red plums, framed in light, bunchy tones. Some white pepper and freshly picked herbs, too. Young and vibrant palate that has finely detailed tannins and a succulent, energetic feel in the mouth. Bright, small red fruit lights the finish. Very drinkable already.”
97 points, Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com
"Just bottled when tasted and a joyous drink, brimming in red fruits and spice. Plenty of life and energy here. Upfront, it delivers a complex set of red cherry, cranberry, plum with potpourri floral/herbals and a splash of musk. A fully integrated, balanced and elegant expression of Piccadilly Valley and Adelaide Hills' pinot, the area's top red variety."
95 points, Jeni Port, The Wine Companion
"The fruit for this 2021 Phaeton Pinot Noir is sourced from a single vineyard in the Piccadilly Valley—Pinot Noir clones 114 and 115. The fruit is concentrated, with notes of bone broth/consommé, fig paste, black cherry, red apples, sumac, a touch of black pudding and star anise, some fennel flowers and raspberry leaf tea. It's a beautiful wine that has dimension and detail within its boundaries."
94 points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate

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