Gilbert Pinot Noir 2022

So often too lean or too worked, Orange pinot noir has hit a sweet spot with Gilbert’s 2022. Pretty and floral, with savoury spices, hedge fruits, and tangy rhubarb, plum and English strawberry. Packed with flavour, mineral; lithe and sleek. It’s not silky, there’s too much texture, and for all its lightness, there’s plenty of weight and flesh. A thoroughly complete, and accomplished pinot noir. Waters Wine Co

Fruit from the Gordon Hills and Borrodell vineyards at 850m to 1030m in elevation; 70/30% whole berries/carbonic maceration. All parcels are separately basket pressed into French oak (15% new). Alpine strawberry, rhubarb and cranberry. Brazilian chilli kiss peppers, goji and rosehip. The carbonic component has elevated the already fragrant perfume and captured Orange’s cool-climate pinot noir spirit. Lithe, slinky and deft on her feet, with swift acidity, exotic florals and elegance of movement across the palate. Structurally sound tannins and a kinesthetic awareness of form. An assured wine and hard to beat at the price. 95 points – Halliday Wine Companion 2024