Alkimi Wines “Willowlake Vineyard” Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2021 (6 Bottles) Yarra Valley

$244.00 GST Included

AUSTRALIA WIDE SHIPPING INCLUDED

While chaos was engulfing the whole country (and the world) in March 2020, we were busy picking and fermenting our grapes. Vintage is a sacred time in the winemaking calendar and while I was a little unnerved by the oncoming pandemic, I consciously focused my attention and energy on the important tasks at hand.

The year had an extra challenge as we were back to a mild “Old School” ripening season. Having being so used to warm and compressed vintages of recent memory it took some consideration on how to best handle the picking and winemaking decisions. It was a vintage of holding nerves and staying mentally strong, I learnt a lot throughout this vintage and I’m very proud the wines from the vintage. I believe the most complex wines come from the cooler vintages.

The second release of Pinot Noir from Alkimi once again comes from the Willowlake vineyard which sits at an elevation of 180 – 200 metres asl. The vines were planted in 1988 and the clone used in this Pinot Noir is the much-loved MV6. Soils are a dark-grey clay loam over red volcanic soil, which allows free drainage and good mineral deposits for the vines to grab in the subsurface.

The grapes were handpicked on 22nd March and after arriving to the winery, they were split in two separate batches. One batch (75%) was entirely whole bunch fermented, whereas the other portion (25%) was entirely destemmed. Both batches were blended together for élevage and malolactic fermentation in oak. The wine was fermented naturally and had a natural malolactic also.

The wine was blended to tank in December 2020 and bottled in January 2021, without any filtration or fining.

The appearance is a transparent, vivid ruby.

The nose is deep with tones of freshly-picked red fruits such as strawberry and cherry. Spice cabinet notes of cardamon, caraway and clove blend into sweeter tones of sarsaparilla and stewed rhubarb. Beneath, there are also woody-spiced (whole bunch) notes and forest floor in autumn.

In true “Upper” Yarra nature, the palate is mid-weighted yet lively and not compromising in depth or character in any way. There are aromatic red-fruit tones encompassed with spice, crème Brûlée oak leaning into fragrant sweet toasted red capsicum characters. The tannin is silky and ever-present which winds its way around the supple textured, bright compete finish.

80 dozen bottles produced.

Cellar for up to 5 years from vintage.​

Category:

Description

About Alkimi Wines

My wines are from my heart, and I put my energy and emotion into sculpting wines which I believe in. Many of my decisions are made on instinct and gut feelings where sometimes they are planned and sometimes are spontaneous.
My winemaking philosophy is to limit all techniques to what I classify as “basic principals”, where only fundamental (or traditional) techniques are used to make my wine. I favour natural acidity, wild yeasts and my wines are stabilised naturally only with the aid of Mother Nature.

I don’t use fining agents as I prefer to capture the natural characters of each variety to create unique personality and interest. I do believe that the best wines are the ones that show a distinct personality; personality of not just provenance, but the vintage conditions and the personality of the person/people who made them. My wines will always tell a story.

In 2017 I began farming my own vineyard which I see as an important step for a producer who is always focused on quality and technique. I strive in creating a healthy ecology below and above ground; where I have never used herbicides and I practice organic and sustainable techniques where and when possible.

​Cheers, ​Stuart

Wine Envy

Wine Envy is for wine lovers, by wine lovers.