After a few low-yielding years in Piccadilly Valley, Michael Downer cast his sourcing net a bit wider for Pinot Noir in 2024. He settled on a well-established site in Forreston in the northern sector of the Adelaide Hills. The organically managed vineyard sits just north of the Gumeracha township at 450 metres with northwest-facing slopes. The MV6 Pinot Noir, which makes up 55% of this year’s blend, comes from a ridge with lean soils, and Michael tells us the fruit has lovely purity and supple structure. The rest of the fruit comes from Murdoch Hill’s estate vineyard in Lenswood (30%) and the usual, high-elevation Piccadilly sources. The Lenswood site delivered spice-driven, weighty, deeply flavoured fruit balanced nicely by the cool, fresh, elegant structure of the Piccadilly stock.
Fermentation took place in small open-top fermenters with just a small portion of whole bunches (less than 10%). In response to the cooler conditions of the last few years, Downer has decreased the bunch component, explaining the Lenswood fruit already brings sufficient spice and structure. Maturation occurred in barriques and puncheons for seven months (22% new). The higher sunshine hours in 2024 have delivered a deeper-coloured wine with more power and drive than its predecessor. It’s perfumed and spicy with wild red berry fruits and mouthwatering earthy depth aligned to silky texture, crisp acidity and elegant, fine-boned tannins. Seriously good Pinot.