Reviews
94 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
93 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
The Wine
Leeks grew on this gravelly south facing slope until Sam Virgara decided to plant one of the best Pinot Noir vineyards in the Piccadilly Valley. Lifted cherry, spearmint and citrus, with hints of lavender and forest. The palate wind swept with sandy tannin.
Drinking... Ready to drink upon release or cellar to 2026.
Alcohol 13.5% alc/vol
The Winemaking
Hand-picked and destemmed to an open-top fermenter with 20% whole bunches, followed by a 5 day cold soak prior to fermentation.
Gently hand plunged twice daily, with the ferment temperature peaking at 30°C.
Pressed directly to oak for 10 months maturation, 100% French, 20% new oak, lees stirred in oak for 2 months.
Bottled 2nd February 2015. Vegan friendly.
Chapel Valley Vineyard
Owned and farmed by Sam Virgara.
Site location: Piccadilly Valley – Adelaide Hills
Map coordinates: -34.974428,138.737142
Clones: 114 & 115
Planted: 2000
Elevation: 490 meters
Aspect: South facing
Soil: Dark loam and clay at the top of the slope, going to grey sandy loam towards bottom of the rows, gravel mix, clay subsoil.