Ashton Hills is a three-hectare, dry-grown vineyard that lies in the Piccadilly Valley sub-region of the Adelaide Hills, on a ridge just below the summit of Mount Lofty. The estate was founded by Stephen George in 1982, and since that time it has built a reputation as one of Australia’s finest proponents of Pinot Noir and cool climate whites.

Lifted red cherry, plum and quince are matched with some whole bunch spice and a hint of savoury, earthy notes. The palate features crunchy red cherry and cranberry notes which are framed with lovely natural acidity and long fine tannins. A beautifully textured wine with plush, persistent length and a long savoury finish.

A lower-yield year with prolonged ripening and coolness alongside. It's a svelte and meticulous pinot noir, tightly coiled around a strongly minerally profile with brisk acidity dragging the wine long and to a distinct, persistent finish. There's tart red cherry, some smoky spice elements, a touch of forest floor and brambly blackberries in the mix, clove as a gentle indicator of oak seasoning and an array of exotic souk-like aromatics and flavours lending complexity. The wine is quite understated in its profile but delivers a strong sense of structure and tension, length and control. It's a very fine pinot noir leaning beautifully into its more savoury flex. Utter charm is the result. Date: Apr 2024; Alcohol: 13%; Price: $80.00; Drink by: 2038; Rating: 96 Points; James Halliday Wine Companion