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Ochota Barrels

2023

‘A Forest’

Pinot Noir   |   Adelaide Hills - Australia
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

The opening bass line of ‘A Forest’ by The Cure transcends the listener into a blissful, enigmatic and meditative trance in a place where the road splits into hopeful jubilation or heartfelt loss.  The same holds true for this wine as nearly a decade on in the evolution of this wine, it has found the path of jubilation.  The paradox of Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir is that the highs are there but often disappointment looms.  Amber has achieved a lot of substance with this wine as the depth of flavor really takes it to places it has never gone.  The fruit comes from Scanlon & Virgara vineyards, which have been the source since 2021. The clones remain a blend of triple-seven, D5V12, and the Swiss mother vine clone of MV6.

The grapes were hand-harvested partially destemmed (roughly 1/3 of the lot).  The berries and bunches were kept separate by clone and cold soaked in open-top plastic fermenters until fermentation occurred naturally.  The ferments were gently hand plunged across 1-2 weeks before being basket-pressed to old French barriques and puncheons for maturation.  After six months the wine was bottled without fining or filtration and just a small addition of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir
  • Vineyard: Scanlon & Virgara Vineyards
  • Vine Age: 17-37-years-old
  • Soil Type: Primarily ironstone riddled clay-loam
  • Viticulture: Practicing organic
  • Fermentation: Native – open-top plastic fermenters (2/3 whole-cluster)
  • Skin Contact: 10-15 days
  • Aging: 6 months in seasoned French barrique and puncheon
  • Alcohol: 11.7%
  • pH: 3.57
  • Total Acidity: 5.1 g/L
  • Total SO2: 55 ppm
  • Total Production: 444 cases
  • UPC: None

Tasting Note

A captivating blend with a floral nose, showcasing crushed petals and stems. Garrigue and Nordic forest notes intertwine with damson fruit, pain d’épice, and subtle peaty elements, creating a rustic allure. The taut, textured palate reveals tarry red currants and a hint of meatiness, culminating in a savory finish. A fleeting medicinal quality reminiscent of billie hoke adds intrigue.

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Producer


Ochota Barrels

Region


Adelaide Hills

Country


Australia

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