A superb Pinot which is very hard to find almost impossible .
Also might have Lethbridge as part of the label.
Mariafield clone grown by Jack and Lois Doeven in Drumborg Henty
using newly sourced wholebunch fruit from the Drumborg sub-region in Henty, it's nothing short of an astonishing effort for the crew. Names like Giaconda, By Farr Hoddle's Creek, Stonier, Gembrook Hill, Oakridge, Kooyong, Yabby Lake & Garagiste were all sampled in the same blind-tasting, and yet the Between Five Bells came out, quite clearly, on top.
Since the 98 points delivered by DECANTER it has been in low supply the price is cheap and the quality is amazing.
Whole bunches are carefully placed in a tall stainless steel tank...by hand. Winemaker Ray Nadeson doesn't want to damage any berries in this process so he straps on the climbing gear and ropes and hand places the bunches up the length of the tank. The idea behind his method is to allow the natural sheer weight of the fruit above to press the berries below. A small amount of fermenting Pinot Noir juice is introduced to the bottom of the tank, allowing the intact berries to be enveloped in CO2, creating a true carbonic maceration. As the fruit presses down more sweet juice joins the ferment. In the end this process encourages the development of a beautiful, silky mouth feel while maintaining vibrant fruity aromas.
This wine beat every Australian Pinot including some high priced offerings from well respected wineries in a recent tasting by DECANTER.
On the nose light oak/fruit/varnish
light to medium colour, light to medium body .
Ligh tannins and light fruit on the tongue .
Drinks very easily and I would guess 2 to 3 years is the drinking window
Tasting notes by Decanter
Roger Jones: Very fine delicate perfumed nose, on the palate a superb berry explosion with restraint. Some savoury tannins at the end.
Justin Knock MW: A hint of Vegemite, blue fruits, extremly creamy and fresh, really great length and power. More of a whole berry style but terrific length. Very good wine.
Anthony Rose: Deep, dark ruby, seductive loganberry fruit nose. Dark berry and plum fruit on the palate, which is opulently fruity and supported by firm extracted tannins, a savoury quality and crisp acidity in an overall finely balanced package. Great ageing potential.
Whole Pinot Noir bunches from cool-climate Henty undergo carbonic maceration in stainless steel tanks to maintain the pure varietal fruit character, before undergoing six months of oak ageing.
July 2020
Wow !! and still wow!!