96 Points - Tony Love
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 Estate Pinot Noir is one of several outstanding examples of Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir currently made at Ashton Hills. An aromatic Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir, this delivers lifted red cherry, plum and figs along with hints of savoury, earthy notes. The palate features red cherry and cranberry notes which are framed with lovely natural acidity and long fine tannins. A beautifully textured wine with plush, persistent length.
"96 Points. No introduction needed to the reputation of Ashton Hills when it comes to Pinot Noir pedigree, based on their set of three mainstays, a Reserve and Estate iterations from the home block estate high in the Adelaide Hills in Ashton on the northern edges of the Piccadilly Valley, as well as wider-vineyard sourcing for a Piccadilly Valley variation. Occasional single vineyard makes also add to the portfolio. This Estate is emblematic of South Australia’s finest Pinot producer, multi-clonal vinified separately before a final blend, 25% whole bunch pressed and fermented, matured for nine months in 14% new barriques. The nose is immediately captivated, earthy bush florals and leaf, middle eastern spice fragrance, bay leaf before flowing easily into a neatly structured palate, fluid, gently built, darker, faintly sour cherry, with a fruit-sweet rise in the finish, the slightest of amaro bitters threaded into its tannin lilt at the exit. The identity of this iconic vineyard for all to see now, with potential to develop more earthy notes in the next decade. (The Reserve ($115) is a barrel selection with a bit more oak on show at release.) $90"- Tony Love, Wine Pilot.
"95 Points. A blend of five different clones, wild fermented separately, then blended for our pleasure after nine months in mostly older French oak barrels. This has some meatiness and flesh but also a cool undercurrent of briny and slate-like mineral qualities, quite distinct in the wine. Dark cherry and wild raspberry also flow through, so too some caraway seed spice and savouriness, a touch of hazelnut and clove. Rosehip tea makes a mark, too, and, indeed, tea-like tannins stretch long and fine through the wine. It makes its mark with some understatement and refreshment factor. Elegance, yet quiet power. Drink: 2026 - 2033. 13.5% alc"- Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion.
