Normal transmission has been resumed, in that it’s me reviewing these wines once more, rather than CM. Maybe not ideal to be working on Anzac Day, though I’ve had a few Anzac biscuits to get my eye in. I do love the odd biscuit and piece of cake as I get older; one of those things. Anyway, this is a more concentrated plum/cherry expression of HCE Pinot in 2022, over some of the more red-fruited, lighter expressions.

Cherry, plum, baking spice, a little more earthy – more bass than treble here – some vanilla, thyme and mint in the mix too. It’s full of juicy red and black fruited flavour, a slight orange peel amaro twist through it, a pleasing amount of grainy/silty tannin, kind of autumnal too, a little rhubarb and spice, with a juicy and sappy finish of excellent length. Lots of flavour and a good amount of chewy texture. It’s balance of finesse and bouncy Pinot character should pretty much satisfy every drinker. - Gary Walsh, Wine Front