Felton RoadPinot Noir Bannockburn 2020

Enticing, heady fragrance of violets, undergrowth and spiced sour cherries – lovely vibrancy and vitality that extends through the palate. A spine of structured, sinewy tannins, roasted nut oak tones and nervy acidity holds up the complex, rippling flavours of rich black cherry, plum compote, autumn leaves and earthy minerals. This terroir-driven youngster is bursting with potential and will continue to integrate and age beautifully.

A perfumed nose of strawberries, sour cherries, raspberries, violets, vanilla and baking spices. It’s medium-to full-bodied with lively acidity and fine tannins. Balanced and compact with a velvety texture and a bright core of fruit on the mid-palate. Long finish. Chewy. Needs a few years to soften, but already impressive.

The 2020 Pinot Noir Bannockburn is welcoming as well as rich, savory and sinewy, delivering a plump cloud of both lifted and brooding fruit: a portion of whole-cluster fermentation has brought herbal and violet high notes alongside red and black cherry. There´s excellent concentration despite this being the entry to the Felton Pinot range, and fine, lightly furry tannins on the medium-long finish. This could be approached now, but it’s better to wait a couple of years to let the components settle.