The S&G Pinot Noir is a refined and captivating expression of Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard's dedication to the unique character of Lenswood. Sourced from just 3 selected rows of our 25 yr old Pinot Noir block. 100% whole bunch fermented, this limited production wine embodies the quiet confidence and purity that defines the S&G range. Bright cherry and stewed rhubarb aromas lead into a silky palate, layered with vibrant natural acidity, mineral drive and a whisper of forest floor complexity. Ten months in 1 yr old French oak brings subtle toast and frames they wine's beautiful mushroom and truffle nuances without overshadowing the fruit. A blend of multiple clones adds depth and textural elegance, making this a stunning showcase of cool climate Pinot Noir at its most poised and expressive.

BOUQUET: Black cherry, bramble fruits, allspice and a Campari lift. PALATE: Fleshy core of black cherry, raspberry and strawberry. Juicy acid line and silky tannin.

Showcasing the strengths of the Adelaide Hills as a premier Pinot Noir regoin, Geoff Weaver crafts a Pinot of exceptional quality and pedigree. Noted for its aromas of red fruits with hints of leather and forest floor. Amazing acid that is a driver for this pure, fresh wine.

Tim Knappstein became a third generation vigneron when he commenced his career in the family company, Stanley Wines, making his first wine in 1966, after graduating from the Roseworthy College Oenology course. Riposte, has enabled Tim to fully utilise his rich and accumulated knowledge from a decorated 45 years of wine-making, and his boundless enthusiasm to keep making exceptional well priced wine, from premium cool climate grapes of the Adelaide Hills. The Dagger has been honed to create a vibrant, rich, earlier drinking wine displaying all of the hallmark aromas flavours and texture of Pinot Noir.

Red cherries and strawberries along with notes of undergrowth and preserved lemon. Bright and juicy red fruit characters with a savoury back half of earth, leather and subtle dried herbs. The palate is of medium weight with graceful, fine tannins that lend it a plush quality throughout. Grapes were handpicked, keeping individual clones separate in small open fermenters. Some whole bunch fruit was added to ferments, enhancing aromatics and structural complexity. Fermentation was initiated by indigenous yeast (wild ferment). Each clonal parcel was basket pressed and filled to seasoned French oak barrels with full solids. All barrels were kept on lees to build palate, body and complexity. They were racked and blended just prior to bottling. Stephen Georges three hectare, dry-grown, Ashton Hills vineyard lies in the Piccadilly Valley sub region of the Adelaide Hills on a ridge just below the summit of Mount Lofty. Planted in 1982, its a quality site that, thanks to the humility and integrity of its gifted farmer, has been the source of some of South Australias most intriguing cool-climate wines, and certainly its most authentic and fascinating Pinot Noir. You dont need to spend much time in the Piccadilly Valley to realise why this area was granted sub-regional statusit is totally different to the rest of the Hills. In short, its much colder and wetter. Georges Estate vineyard lies at 570 metres above sea level and the vines shudder through some of the coolest vintage conditions in the country. Meanwhile, rainfall is a whopping 1200mm a year, well over double that of the Barossa. Whether its the lifted perfumes, elegant structure and Alpine freshness of the Pinot Noirs or the icy purity of the Riesling, Piccadilly Valleys bona-fide cool-climate imprint is never far away. A healthy portion of old-vines and the vineyards south-facing aspect afford George the luxury of late harvesting that plays a significant role in the personality of these wines. Terroir is one thing, how its worked is another, and Stephen George clearly has an intuitive touch and the drive to continually evolve. Most recently this evolution has resulted in George grubbing out all varieties except for Pinot Noir, and a little bit of Riesling, focusing his Pinot Noir on four specific clones selected from a line-up of 25 that he had tested. The Ashton Hills winery is incredibly basic, with an earth floor and next to no equipment whatsoever. The Pinot fruit is destemmed via a small, customised, gentle destemmer that keeps as many whole berries as possible. The fruit is then basket pressed, and the wine is made without any sulphur additions until bottling. Some whole bunches are included, and the percentage varies according to the style of the vintage. The red wines are mostly raised in aged, neutral French hogshead barrels. Having already cemented his living-legend status amongst his peers and compiled a storied CV that includes his role at Wendouree (since the 1980s) and twenty five vintages at the helm of Ashton Hills, you could forgive this reclusive winemaker for taking his foot off the gas. Not a bit of it. Stephen George is in fact making the best wines of his career.