Stefano Lubiana ‘Sasso’ Pinot Noir 2020

100% estate-grown, biodynamic-certified, single-vineyard Pinot Noir from the Lubiana family vineyard in Granton in the Derwent Valley. The wine brings together three special terroirs: Grey gravelly loam over clay; black clay and grey gravelly silt with clay underneath; and classic terra rossa of red clay loam over marl limestone. The low vigour parcels gave yields of 4.5 tonnes per hectare. This wine is a barrel selection, chosen in the winery, not just the vineyard. 100% whole bunches are foot stomped, wild fermented in small open-top vats. Matured in French barriques (about 30% new) for 10 months before bottling under cork.

We have three unique blocks of Pinot Noir. The fruit chosen for the Sasso is grown from these. The three to five best-performing barrels are selected to produce a mid-weight wine with soft, savoury tannins and well-balanced acidity. It’s a style that we have always enjoyed making and drinking. The wine is only produced in exceptional years, with the 2020 being the ninth year of Sasso Pinot Noir production. Steve & Monique Lubiana

This is a wine ready for serious contemplation: it will open up beautifully in the glass. The heady nose is intoxicating with its ripe cherry spice, bright raspberry and a mix of delicious savoury flavours that tantalise the palate. The final journey of this outstanding wines structure is one of long, silky tannins the perfect finale.