Levantine Hill Estate Pinot Noir 2020

Levantine Hill Estate is a remarkable vineyard that has merged two vineyards in the heart of the Yarra Valley. The first vineyard has been producing superior grapes since the 1990s, while the other vineyard comprises lovingly planted family blocks surrounding the Homestead and a truffiére. Together, these two vineyards have become a testament to the passion and toil of dedicated human hands and man's tenuous relationship with the nurturing love of Mother Nature. Levantine Hill Estate began against the odds when the experts told the owners that the chosen piece of the Yarra Valley was far too steep and had too many underlying rocky outcrops, making it impossible to plant viable vines. However, the owners saw the potential and used a diamond-tipped drilling rig to remove the rocks, making Levantine Hill Estate take shape. Today, Levantine Hill Estate is a family vineyard that only bottles premium wines in impeccable years. The vineyard rises from the shores of the Yarra River at 75 meters and peaks at 225 meters above sea level. The vines thrive in looking out over steep clay loam slopes, at similar elevations to the Grand Cru vineyards of Chablis, France. The slopes, amphitheatres, valleys and orientation combine to create a distinct microclimate in each paddock. Levantine Hill Estate's uniqueness is evident in its Estate and Family Paddocks range, drawn respectively from its Maroondah Highway and Hill Road single vineyard sites. The wines are complex and classic, yet fresh, drawing inspiration from their historical heartland in France. The specificity of their faithful expression of the vineyard sites makes them highly individual and unable to be replicated anywhere else in the world. Levantine Hill Estate is committed to pursuing perfection, believing that perfection has no end point. Every member of the team is dedicated to creating only wines of finesse, longevity and outstanding character.

The Yarra Valley boasts a rich winemaking history that dates back to the mid-19th century. Today, it is recognized as one of Australia's premier wine regions, celebrated for its exceptional cool-climate varietals. From elegant Chardonnays to vibrant Pinot Noirs, the Yarra Valley produces wines of exceptional quality and complexity. The region's unique combination of cool temperatures and diverse soil types creates the perfect conditions for grape cultivation. Rolling hills, lush vineyards and gently flowing rivers contribute to the Yarra Valley's idyllic terroir, resulting in wines that beautifully express the characteristics of the land.

The Levantine Hill Estate Pinot Noir is a deeply complex wine with a refined aromatic profile that is beautifully balanced from ageing in the finest French oak. This silken textured Pinot Noir is sure to become even more supple with careful cellaring. The excellent 2019 vintage followed a somewhat classic pattern for the region, with a slow build-up of heat throughout each week culminating in a release of rain and tempering cool conditions ahead of the next slow build-up. This ebb and flow dynamic of temperature and rainfall across the growing season made for the development of a complex set of concentrated aromas and flavours from the four individual single vineyard blocks that all contribute to the Estate Pinot Noir blend. The combination of differences in site aspect, soil types, clonal material and ripeness levels, in concert with the seasonal conditions, contributed to the exceptional character of the 2019 vintage. On the nose, this wine offers up a beautiful bouquet of red and dark fruit, with notes of black cherry, raspberry and plum. The palate is smooth and elegant, with a delicate balance of fruit and oak flavours. The tannins are supple and well-integrated, providing a long and satisfying finish. 

Aromatic, smoky nose with hints of truffle and ceps. Precise clusters of tiny berries, fresh citrus, blood orange and dried rose are combined with forest floor nuances to make this quite special. A silky, creamy/coffee texture and smooth and soft tannins, result in an elegant and harmonious wine. - Decanter World Wine Awards, 96 Points.

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - Australia
Region - Yarra Valley
Vintage - 2020
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%