Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024

A wonderfully perfumed and composed wine that comes across as a little finer in aromatic detail than the excellent '23 release. It's an amalgam of clones – 777, 667, Abel, Pommard, MV6 and some that winemaker Adam Wadewitz snaffled from Best's Great Western – all playing their part in the final blend. Vibrant dark cherry, red berry and raspberry fruit tones mesh with hints of exotic spice, a whiff of negroni, juniper, wild strawberry, almond paste, integrated vanillin oak, meadow flowers and crushed stone. Everything plays at concert pitch, with complex whole bunch (50%) notes, the gentle tension of ground-riverstone tannins and a fine, mineral line as the wine slowly trails away. A cracking release that smells and tastes of a special place.

• Drinkvenster: 2025 - 2043
• Naam recensent: Dave Brookes

Deep and translucent purple colour, impressive for a young pinot, the bouquet fresh and bright and primal with a touch of smoky barrel/reduction overlying sweet plum and black cherry aromas. It's concentrated and rich, with superbly ripe pinot fruit and seamlessly handled oak, fine powdery tannins running the length of the palate and cleansing the finish beautifully. A less stemmy/whole-bunch influenced Tolpuddle pinot noir. It will take some age profitably.

• Drinkvenster: 2025 - 2039
• Naam recensent: Huon Hooke

An unearthing of black cherries, ancho chillis, and tonka bean. A backdrop of thicket and foliage is carefully threaded with raspberries and wild hawthorn. Ceylon tea leaf, sandalwood, and coffee grounds follow. The tannins are crafty working their way across the palate, sidling in, and revealing their potential only once you’re already reaching for another sip. This vintage has captured impressive ripeness and a maturity of tannins, with an uproar of Christmas-cherry fruit standing loud and proud. It feels complete and utterly enticing, speaking of the Coal River Valley with impeccable clarity, finesse of detail, and beautifully layered texture. There is a long life ahead of this wine and one that will demonstrate Tolpuddle’s ability for long term cellaring. Drink now with torched Nasu Dengaku or pop in the back of your cellar for another 6-8 years. More if you have ideal cellar conditions.