2022 Lowestoft Single Vineyard Jacoben Pinot Noir 750ml

Jacoben sits 8km north of Lowestoft on the northern side of the Derwent River. It faces south, which goes against everything the teach you at university about planting vineyards in the southern hemisphere! This site looks directly across the river to the Lubiana Vineyard and winery. Similar to Lowestoft, the soils are considered podzoic, with more sandstone and obvious alluvial contents. Quite significantly more free draining in nature than Lowestoft. Quite a lot cooler during the growing season also, as there is a fog called the “Bridgewater Jerry” which comes down the Derwent River and has quite the cooling effect. Very similar to Sonoma and Russian River in Northern California.

Superb Pinot Noir from the Jacoben Vineyard was hand-picked and fermented in 2T open top fermenters, with 15% whole bunch inclusion. Gently hand plunged, with gentle pressing to tank post MLF, followed by 10 months maturation in large format French oak (25% new) before selective barrel blending and bottling with minimal additions.

Bursting with rich, plump forest fruits, this dark ruby wine presents heady aromas of cherry, woody herbs and black tea. Finely grained tannins framed by juicy acidy give this wine generous tension and drive. in large format French oak (25% new) before selective barrel blending and bottling with minimal additions. – Liam McElhinney, Lowestoft

I love the elegant restraint of this cool humid season, and this single vineyard in the lower Derwent Valley exemplifies its mood with tension and endurance. This is Pinot Noir scaffolded for the long haul, with an intricately engineered framework of super fine tannins supported with all the structure of impeccably poised natural acidity. I love the dynamic, setting a longevity much more Burgundian than it is Tasmanian. 95 points. Tyson Stelzer, Wine Business Magazine

Single-vineyard pinot noir from the Lower Derwent Valley. Vibrant ruby with aromas of exotically-spiced red cherry, raspberry and red plum fruits. Hints of dried mountain herbs, citrus blossom, char siu, sandalwood, dried cranberry, amaro, undergrowth and Peking duck. Lithe and sapid on the palate with a touch of sour cherry, pillowy tannins and a spicy, complex finish that flows on for a pleasing amount of time. 95 points. Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion