2024 Sailor Seeks Horse Pinot Noir

Sailor Seeks Horse is a tiny vineyard that's one of Australia’s most southerly, located in the Huon valley in southern Tasmania. Owners Paul and Gilli Lipscombe have brought considerable vineyard and winemaking experience to this venture, and they've been producing outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay here for over a decade.

While there are a multitude of clonal Pinot Noir plantings on site, this release utilises their more traditional Tasmanian clones of D2V6 and D5V12. A small percentage of whole bunch (5%) is included, with a wild fermentation and gentle plunging before being left on skins post ferment and the wine is then pressed straight to barrel. A mixture of barriques, hogsheads and puncheons are used as the wine is aged for 12 months in oak.

Other Reviews....
The 2024 Pinot Noir is richer and more savory than the Small Wonder Vineyard (the vineyards are in different areas, yet this is cooler), and the wine is ethereal and fine, floral, rocky and mineral. This aligns with the personality of the Chardonnay and the reason why this sandstone-laden site is so special. The flavor is intense but light, and this is a great thing. The tannins are chalky and supple. The fruit sees extended post-ferment maceration, prior to being pressed to oak with full solids sans sulfur. Malolactic fermentation occurs here and is done around mid-winter. I love the delicacy and poise of this wine. The wines from this producer and vineyard come warmly recommended. This was made with 5% whole-bunch fruit and spent months in barrel before being bottled sans fining. 13.4% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2026-2036.
96 points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate