2017 Principia Altior Pinot Noir

Principia was founded in 1995 by Darrin Gaffy. A passionate, intelligent, quirky winemaker and vigneron, Gaffy allows terroir to shine through his wines through hand-picking of the vineyard, wild yeast fermentation and vinification without the aid of any pumps or machinery. Gaffy also believes in a long time on skins to give the wine structure and a savoury feel. The Altior (meaning even higher in Latin) was matured in French oak, all Burgundian coopers of which none was new oak.

A fusion of elegance and power best sums up this delightful Pinot.

Semi translucent bright dark red core with a light red hue. There’s an alluring perfumed like entry to the nose with fragrant violet, ripe red to dark cherry and strawberry scents leading the way trailed by faint hints of anise, forest floor, fresh herbs and light spicy cedar. Rich yet finessed, fanning across the elegant, supplely textured palate is an expansive peacocks tail wave of flavour that sees delicious red to dark cherry and strawberry fruits sitting over a back drop of smoky anise, forest floor, some meatiness, dried herbs and spicy cedar. Very polished, velvet like tannins with a lick of bright acidity freshening up the very long and moreish finish.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.7%

Other Reviews…..
An alluring wine that offers both drinking pleasure now but also more structure to allow it to unfurl over the next few years thus adding another layer of depth. Buoyant with a wave of red cherry and spiced plums with some dried herbs and juniper berries. The medium-bodied palate is glorious with ribbons of fine tannins, yet some grip and a conclusive finish. Drink by 2029.
96 points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion