2023 Symons Pinot Noir

A fragrantly scented Pinot, with delicious red to dark fruit, vibrant acidity and refined tannins.

Fermented with a mixture of de-stemmed and whole bunches with maturation taking place in French oak barriques and puncheons for approximately 8 months. Semi translucent red to dark red colour with a light red hue. Fragrant scents of red to dark cherry, wild strawberry, violet and anise stream through the nostrils with excellent intensity. Some brambly cedar, dried herb, subtle forest floor and spice notes ensue. Delicious red to dark cherry and strawberry fruits meander across the palate underscored by vibrant acidity. Traces of anise, infusions of fresh herbs, forest floor and spicy cedar elements lie underneath. Refined tannins with a fresh mid length finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews….
Fruit off three vineyards: 65/25/10% Georgica at Red Hill/Stanley Road, Merricks/Robinson in Tuerong. Destemmed (bar 10% whole bunches in a separate fermenter), cold soak for a week and all gently-does-it before being pressed to French oak (mostly puncheons, 10% new, aged eight months); unfiltered. A note from Mike Symons adds, "one barrel was a bit leesy hence clarity is not perfect, maybe also reflective of my eyesight when racking". Ah, how I have missed you. Nothing wrong with the clarity – this is a light garnet hue. Lots of twiggy/bunchy fragrance and flavour, red and morello cherries, Campari, roasted tomatoes, a bit of exotica with joss sticks and rosewood, balsam fir, too. You have to dig the strong bunchy character to get into this. The palate is lighter framed, yet sinewy tannins and perky acidity work together. Drink 2024-2031.
93 Points
Jane Faulkner - Halliday's Australian Wine Companion

A blend of Georgica 65% (Red Hill), Robinson 10% (Tuerong) and Stanley Road 25% (Merricks). Mike Symons talks about his relationship with Will Byron (hot) and Barney Flanders (less hot, but kind of hot), who all help each other out a bit with little fruit parcels they all like. A fruit-loving MP triumvirate here, of sorts. This gets 10% whole bunch, and 10% new oak.
This is a spicy and frisky sort of wine. Strawberry, cherry, smoked paprika and red capsicum, plenty of spice (cardamom in particular), some mint and floral top notes. It’s quite tangy and lively, with a cool spicy feel to it, poached strawberry, a lick of graphite tannin and a bright finish of good length. You have to like them a little more sappy, but it’s good in that style. Drink 2024-2030.
93 Points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front