95 Points - Mike Bennie
Ashton Hill winemaker Stephen George in one of Australia's most skilful and versatile winemakers. Making powerful reds at Wendouree, he also produces some beautifully elegant Pinot Noir's at Ashton Hills.
This 2025 Ashton Hills Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir is crafted from a blend of fruit from a handful of grower vineyards around the Ashton Hills estate. This is a quintessential Piccadilly Pinot with lifted with aromas of lifted fresh raspberries, cherries and strawberries with a lovely hint of Indian spice and rosewater. Juice and red fruited, with a lick of spice and fresh herbs from the whole bunch component. The mouth-watering natural acidity and fine tannins compliment the plush fruits and result in a textural and long lasting finish.
"95 Points. A striking release for its depth, finesse, savoury elements, spice and woody, autumnal characters. All bundled up so well, too. Dark cherry, dried leaves, bay leaf, game meat, pepper and clove, aniseed and fennel. Yes thanks. It sits at medium to fuller weight on the palate but delivers massively satisfying freshness after the generous slosh of the wine. So, too, a web of silty tannins makes for shape and length. Seriously good. 13.5% alc. Drink: 2026 - 2032. Screwcap"- Mike Bennie, The Wine Front.
"This does more than scratch the itch. But for all of its structure and balance – and undergrowth-driven complexity - this really does have Drink Me written all over it. It’s cherried and earthen, spicy and sweet-sour, with both sinewy tannin and a well-judged plushness to its texture. Toasty oak comes through as whispers at most, and everything just feels in excellent good order. It’s well sustained too. Yes please. This is very good.
Rated: 93+ Points. Tasted: Mar26. 13.5% alc. $50. Screwcap. Drink: 2027 - 2031+"- Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front.
