Hughes & Hughes Pinot Noir 2020

Variety:  Pinot Noir
Country, Region: Australia, Tasmania

Fruit from vineyards in the coal river (Roslyn, Nocton, Gunnings Peak and Clarence House, 90%) and derwent valleys (Crisp and Kinvarra 10%). Predominantly whole berry, 15% whole bunch including a carbonic component, natural yeast, held on skins for 16-21 days. Pressed directly to and matured in oak (5% new). Bottled unfined and unfiltered. A rich style with generous blue fruits adding to crunchy red foundations. Good soft tannins support full flavours and ripe acidity. Represents the warm and sunny season that 2019 was.

'Hand-picked, wild-fermented with 15% whole bunch/85% whole berry, not fined or filtered. No shrinking violet. Spiced plum, fine-grained tannins. No mention of oak at any stage, although it has to have been used. Drink by 2030.' 95 points, Red Star for Value, James Halliday, August 2020.

‘Sees 15% whole bunch. Produced from Coal River Valley and friends. Peppery, herbal notes, sour cherry and light sarsaparilla all dusted with white pepper. Juicy and crisp in the palate, more of the sour cherry, some kirsch, lots more spice to taste and a strong smoky finish, slightly acrid. Good length, easy drinking.’ 91 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, February 2020.

'The Hughes & Hughes range is one of the great examples of producers diversifying in the landscape of fine pinot noir and chardonnay (and sparkling wines) that Tasmania holds aloft. I like the cut of their jib.' Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, June 2019.

All wines from Hughes & Hughes are from fruit purchased (mostly from southern Tasmania) and made by Jonny Hughes at his 'day job' at Pooley wines. Work has begun on the Mewstone cellar construction so soon the wines will be made at the Mewstone vineyard at Flowerpot. Varietal wines are made using seeded ferments and are fined and filtered whereas small batch wines are made with natural yeast ferments and are largely un-fined and unfiltered as is the practice for all Mewstone wines. These wines all show the lightness of touch and elegance and finesse that runs from the white wines into the Pinot Noirs as well. Never lacking for flavour or personality all wines show pristine fruit and share a unique vibrancy that comes from minimal intervention wine-making.