VINEYARD
The Gruyere sub-region of the Yarra Valley where Tokar Estate sits, produces a more savoury, dark fruited and structured Pinot Noir than other parts of the Yarra Valley. In 2021, our Pinot Noir was made from the fruit of three Pinot blocks at Tokar Estate, planted in 1996, 1998 and 2000. The main difference between the blocks is the orientation, Pinot A faces West, Pinot B faces East and Pinot C faces North. The subtle differences between the blocks make a more complex and complete wine. All blocks are Pinot clone MV6 and are spur-pruned on VSP trellis.
WINEMAKING
All three blocks of Pinot Noir were picked and fermented separately, with whole berries and a portion of whole bunch. After a cold soak, the ferments were encouraged to proceed with a combination of wild and inoculated yeasts followed by a post-ferment maceration to build the structure to carry the intensity of fruit. The wine was matured in French oak hogsheads for eleven months in our cool cellar before bottling.
SENSORY ANALYSIS
The Pinot’s deep ruby colour is bright and shows its youth before a complex nose with sweet and savoury in balance. There are flavours of dark cherries, Campari bitters and tomato vine from the whole bunches. The palate is juicy and crunchy but has a plushness to it too with flavours of rhubarb and ruby grapefruit before the cocoa-like tannins.