Forager Wild Vineyard Ferment Pinot Noir 2023 Organic [CD 95]

Cam Douglas MS 95 points/Outstanding.

"Complex, fragrant and detailed bouquet led by scents of mineral and tilled soils, chalk then a fine savoury led fruit package. Cherry and wild raspberry, forest flowers and heirloom red apple skin, some plum and a mix of baking spices. A totally delicious wine packed with finesse and textures from polished tannins and leesy mouthfeel. There’s a positive reductive seam adding further mouthfeel and complexity. Length and lively, a delicious wine. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2033."

This is the eleventh release of Forager Pinot Noir. 2023 was such a balanced season. A combination of favourable conditions at flowering and a dry harvest provided fruit with lovely harmony and flavour. As always considerable time was spent in the vineyard ensuring each vine carried a balanced load of fruit. Hours spent hand tending the vines was carried out by vineyard owners Andy and Jill Black. The fruit was hand picked at the end of March in the midst of a beautiful Autumn and left to ferment outside in the vineyard then rest on skins for one month before a very gentle press to French oak barrels. The wine was aged for 15 months in barrels before bottling without fining or filtration.