2022 'Maximus' Pinot Noir

MAXIMUS is made entirely from Hochkirch’s certified-biodynamic estate fruit, hand-harvested from 10 to 30-year-old vines growing on basalt, gravel and loam soils. One quarter of the fruit was fermented as whole bunches, while the remainder was destemmed but left uncrushed.

Fermentation took place in small, open-top vessels with gentle plunging, followed by 18 months in French oak barriques, of which only 10% were new. Bright red cherries and raspberries meet earthy beetroot, aniseed and warm spice. The palate is mouthcoating and beautifully silky, with abundant fruit, fine tannins and layers of savoury complexity that continue to emerge as the wine breathes. A stunning expression of cool-climate Victorian Pinot Noir.

"This has hallmark sunshine at its core. You smell the wine, taste the wine, and a pleasing warmth and fruit sweetness arises to the senses. Red cherry, raspberry, sun kissed berry compote with a light lift of aniseed, white mushroom. Veins of cooling, mineral charged acidity follow through, finishing the wine long and fresh, tight and clean. The texture is soft, slightly hazy, a little grip and crushed rock powder-granitic too. Beautiful texture. It does a lot here, and has so much charm. It was better day two, as a caveat. Let it relax."

95 Points - Mike Bennie, The Wine Front